Charities team up for new research into treatment for aggressive blood cancers
The projects, based at the University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow, aim to develop safer and more effective treatments for babies and children with leukaemia.
Research will examine acute myeloid leukaemia
The joint funding from Blood Cancer UK and CCLG is supporting Dr Karen Keeshan’s work at the University of Glasgow, which focuses on acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Dr Keeshan’s research will investigate a protein found on the surface of AML cells that is linked to more aggressive disease and treatment resistance – but is not present on healthy blood stem cells.
The collaboration has also funded Dr Samanta Mariani, at the University of Edinburgh, who is investigating why leukaemia in babies under one year old is so difficult to treat. This cancer is rare but extremely aggressive, and sadly only around half of babies diagnosed before their first birthday are successfully treated.
Dr Mariani will study a type of immune cell called a macrophage, which recent adult studies suggest can be ‘reprogrammed’ by leukaemia cells to help the cancer survive and resist treatment.
Fundraisers make research possible
CCLG: The Children & Young People’s Cancer Association said the collaboration had been made possible by the incredible fundraising efforts of CCLG’s Special Named Funds, including Super Sofia, #TeamKai, Lois' Fund, Hunter's Heroes, A Goal for Sam, Marcus’ Mission, Thumbs Up for Joel, Josh's Gold Star, Toti Worboys Fund, and the Harley James Reynolds Fund.
Josh’s Gold Star Fund was set up in memory of nine-year-old Josh Harber, who died just two days after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in 2019. Josh had been a healthy, active child only days before his diagnosis and loved playing football. Since Josh died, his family have raised over £30k for research.
His mum Danielle welcomed the news, saying: “For our family, funding these two research projects means that Josh’s story didn’t end with his passing. His fund is helping move research forward, and knowing that his name is attached to work that could one day save other children’s lives brings us comfort and purpose.”