Information about Project 6: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

Objectives

  • Cooperation in Europe on basic and (pre-) clinical research, as well as diagnostic methods and spread of excellence on Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in adults
  • Exchange of information, cooperation and integration of basic research
  • Standardization of diagnostic methods and cooperative application of new technologies
  • Documentation and harmonization of ongoing European studies in ALL in adults
  • Develop consensus models for prognostic factors including evaluation of MRD
  • Perform international meta analyzes on rare subgroups of adult ALL
  • Conduct European intergroup studies including phase I/II studies with new drugs
  • Analyze gender specific differences in characteristics and outcome of adult ALL
  • Create a virtual center of excellence for diagnosis and treatment of adult ALL and integrate all major European ALL study groups in a European ALL trial platform to promote the performance of phase I/II studies with new drugs and/or treatment strategies across Europe.

Description of work

Central management structures including steering committee and working groupsSet- up of structure, definition of working groups, distribution of tasks, participants, mailing lists, general action plan, cooperation with other network projects and mentor for gender issues; suggestions will be made and circulated by the central management office. During a first meeting of ALL work package final decisions will be made on structures, detailed action plans and definition of rules of procedure.

Information exchange on scientific projectsAnalyze ongoing projects in basic and clinical research by electronic questionnaires, create a data-base and analyze potential fields of cooperation

Standardization of diagnostic methods This process will be mediated by the specialised working groups which would define a working plan and time schedule for these activities. One major aim is to combine already existing projects on harmonization and standardization of diagnostic procedures such as the EGIL project for immunophenotyping or the BIOMED projects for evaluation of minimal residual disease.

  • Create an overview on participating laboratories, offered methods and procedures, laboratories and responsible persons (data base)
  • Develop suggestions for uniform definitions for diagnostic subgroups within working groups and provide a consensus document
  • Develop suggestions for standard operation procedures (SOPs) for technical procedures within working groups and provide a consensus document