Haematological cancers

Current focus areas

BOOST (Biological Correlates of Stem Cell Transplantation) study (CI Professor Paul Moss and Co-I Dr Francesca Kinsella) - this Birmingham-led study has advanced our understanding of early allogeneic immune response following allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT), and its relevance for predicting outcome. We described the IL-7 dependent homeostatic expansion of T cells by homeostatic proliferation (DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102164) and recognition of allo-antigens (DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.97219). We are now aiming to identify therapeutic targets to prevent GvHD for subsequent clinical translation.

Phase I/IIa trial of ALETA-001

As a CAR T centre, Birmingham leads the CRUK sponsored Phase I/IIa trial of ALETA-001, with partner Aleta Biotherapeutics, for patients with relapsed diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) or B cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (B-ALL) (CI Dr Sridhar Chaganti).

Multimodal characterisation and pathophysiology of immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS)

Dr Francesca Kinsella has established a collaboration across Birmingham Health Partners to study the clinical spectrum and pathophysiology of immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), a neurological complication of CAR T cellular therapy affecting up to 70% of patients. The team aims to identify patients at highest risk, develop objective near-patient methods to monitor patients, predict severe neurotoxicity, and identify selective therapeutic targets for development.