CHIP-AML22

CHIP-AML22 - Improved diagnostics and survival for all children with Acute Myeloid Leukemia treated within the NOPHO-DB- SHIP consortium; a cross-European collaboration

Paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) treatment involves a delicate balance between its efficacy and severe toxicity, which can lead to a range of complications, including mortality. Survival and genetic diagnostics are crucial to find the right treatment for patients.

The previous NOPHO-DBH AML12 protocol showed that advanced diagnostics and evaluations are essential to improving treatment outcomes. However, access to cutting-edge treatments such as targeted therapies that address the genetic basis of cancer is not equally available across European countries. To address this, the CHIP-AML22 consortium aims to focus on three key areas.

1. Genetic profiling of leukemic cells to identify subgroups of patients with prognostic indicators, which can help improve risk-group stratification across the consortium.
2. Introducing tailored treatments based on gene activity information garnered from next-generation sequencing and transcriptome analysis of leukemic cells.
3. Implementing and evaluating advanced treatment-response evaluations to further improve treatment outcomes.

One such example of treatment-response evaluation is the use of minimal residual disease (MRD) measurements, which assess the frequency of residual leukemic cells at specific time points during and after treatment. The previous NOPHO-DBH AML12 protocol already incorporated MRD measurements in the evaluation process, and it contributed to the study's success. Further implementation and evaluation of MRD measurements using flow cytometry and molecular/genetic methods can be employed across the consortium to improve treatment outcomes.

In implementing these focus areas, the project aims to improve overall outcomes for all children with AML treated within the NOPHO-DB-SHIP consortium. Its findings can provide valuable insights for a broader cohort of patients, including those with adult AML.