European researchers are steadfast in their efforts to improve the care of patients suffering from leukaemia. However, an EU-funded team of researchers is raising the bar by integrating the work of leading leukemia trial groups, their partner groups, industry and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Europe to establish a cooperative network for advancements in leukaemia-related research and healthcare. The ultimate objective of the 'European LeukemiaNet' (ELN) Network of Excellence, which is funded under the EU's Sixth Framework Programme to the tune of EUR 6 million, is the launching of the European Leukaemia Trial Registry. The project was recently presented in Cancerworld magazine.

NEW: See special article in Haematologica ( 861KB)
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Translating molecular knowledge into early breast cancer management: building on the Breast International Group (BIG) network for improved treatment tailoring TRANSBIG is a research network of 40 world-class institutions in 22 countries dedicated to high-level collaboration that will contribute to advancing individualized treatment for breast cancer patients. In 2007 TRANSBIG started the clinical trial called MINDACT to compare the traditional method of assessing a tumour's aggressiveness with a new method called 70-gene prognostic signature. Before the trial was launched, the researchers involved in the project performed a major study on the applicability of the 70-gene prognostic signature in lymph node positive patients that allowed to include such patients in the MINDACT clinical trial. The results of MINDACT will allow improved tailoring of chemotherapy in breast cancer.
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Sensitisation of solid tumour cells to death receptor related therapies The three year project Oncodeath aims to identify components which confer sensitivity or resistance to tumour cell death induced by TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL). The researchers obtained new, improved forms of TRAIL and a panel of novel specific inhibitors of signalling pathways and are performing preclinical studies of rational combinations of TRAIL with those inhibitors, based on the genetic background of the particular tumour. The most promising combinations not only revert TRAIL resistance, but also potentiate the cytotoxic effect on tumour cells and could further be exploited in the clinic in the near future. Over forty relevant articles have already been published by the participating laboratories in high impact scientific journals.
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Methods and Advanced Equipment for Simulation and Treatment in Radio-Oncology

The five year project MAESTRO focuses on developing innovative practical solutions related to the various steps of the external radiotherapy process. Among the various developments performed within MAESTRO some commercial success stories should be highlighted: 2D detectors arrays I'mRT MatriXX and MatriXX Evolution, optimized for quality assurance on individual patient treatment plans, 2D array StarTrack, dedicated to Linear accelerator QA, TPS "Isogray" including new modules related to atlas-based automatic segmentation algorithms for the brain and head-and-neck regions of the body, as well as the Monte Carlo calculation of the dose distribution in the region of interest of the patient and several proton beam equipments including the Pencil beam Scanning (PBS) nozzles, which optimizes the dose conformation and the saving of healthy tissues.
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