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Childhood Cancer
Immunity, Immune Response and Bone Marrow Transplant (I/IR/BMT)
In 1999, 28% of all organ transplantations performed in Canada were allogeneic blood and bone marrow transplantations, making it the second most common type of transplantation after kidney. Transplantation of the donor’s immune system in allogeneic graft results in multiple organ rejection in the host, a process called graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). More alternate (unrelated and HLA-mismatched) donors are now being used, resulting in an increased frequency and severity of acute and chronic forms of GVHD. Because of this, GVHD is now the major limitation for a successful BMT outcome.
The goal of I/IR/BMT is to elucidate the mechanisms of GVHD prevalent following bone marrow transplants that treat childhood leukemias. It also develops and evaluates mechanistically-based therapies to overcome GVHD. Investigators in the CFRI Oncology Program were the first to establish that 4-aminoquinolones prevent GVHD by inhibition of antigen presentation in preclinical models, and are combining clinical trials of this reagent together with studies of the immune signaling pathways inhibited by this reagent. They also focus on the immune mechanisms that regulate bone marrow transplant success or failure in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients.
In addition, investigators are working collaboratively to develop immune-based therapies to combat pediatric leukemias. The first goal of this research is to develop strategies to maximize immune responses in patients without the need to transplant. A second area of study is investigating the possibility that some forms of pediatric leukemia may ultimately be preventable.
Researchers
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Last updated:
08/27/2009
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