Study aims to beat leukaemia

By Adam Brimelow
BBC health correspondent

Leukaemia is a cancer of the blood

British scientists have won funding to lead a new international research project, which they say will transform the treatment of leukaemia.

They are aiming to make bone marrow transplants safer and more effective.

The study will examine why transplants do not work for some patients. It will also look at ways of helping the immune system to beat the cancer.

Scientists at the Anthony Nolan Trust hope to have results in three years.

International study

Researchers from 13 countries are taking part in the study, which is being funded by the European Union.

Bone marrow transplants offer hope of a complete cure for leukaemia for some patients.

The bone marrow, found in the bones, produces new blood cells. A transplant saves a life in the UK almost every day.

But there can be problems. Sometimes the disease is not killed off, the cells react against each other, or infection breaks out.

It will benefit patients worldwide

Professor Alexandro Madrigal

Paul Travers from the Anthony Nolan Trust says the study will look at ways of treating the donor's cells to reduce these risks.

"We will have one component of the research which will look at incompatibility, and reduce the side effects caused by the incompatibility between the donor and patient.

"And then we'll be looking to target the immune responses, to protect the patient from a relapse of the underlying disease, and from infectious disease."

They will try to do this by drawing out the T-cells in the blood - these are the immune system cells that attack cancer cells and fight infection.

They will be tailored to the needs of the patient at the minute molecular level to ensure they're compatible, and they kill the disease.

Great opportunity

The researchers say improved transplant techniques will mean more people can be treated and the approach may one day help with other conditions like multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Professor Alexandro Madrigal, who is heading the study, says the new research programme is a great opportunity to help patients right around the world.

"We will see these applications, not only in the UK but they will be partners from Russia from Poland, from Brazil, from France from England from Germany who will be participating.

"The beauty of this is that it will benefit patients worldwide."