Laboratory of Oncohematology
(Responsible: Prof. Francesco Lo Coco, Prof. Maria Teresa Voso)
|
PRESENTATION OF THE LABORATORY
The laboratory of Oncohematology of the Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, directed by Prof. Francesco Lo-Coco and Prof.ssa Maria Teresa Voso, has more than 20-year experience in the genetic and molecular characterization of myeloid neoplasms and is a regional and national reference and counseling center for the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia, chronic myeloproliferative disorders and myelodysplastic syndromes. This activity is crucial for the correct prognostic assessment and risk-stratification of myeloid diseases, to better direct therapy and evaluate treatment response. As a research center, the lab focuses on the identification of novel molecular alterations in myeloid diseases and on their correlation with clinical and prognostic information. The identification of biomarkers in hematologic neoplasms is a major challenge, as it can provide prognostic information for patient risk stratification, which is important to modulate treatment intensity (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, stem cell transplantation etc.), and help to identify actionable therapeutic targets for the development of new drugs. The research group has conducted pioneering studies in the field of minimal residual disease in acute myeloid leukemia, demonstrating the prognostic significance of molecular evaluation in predicting response to therapy and disease relapse. Finally, the laboratory is one of the coordinating centers of LabNet, a network of Italian hematology laboratories created within the GIMEMA group (the Italian cooperative group of adult hematological diseases), to foster the standardization of molecular diagnosis in acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and myeloproliferative neoplasms. All the necessary equipment are available in the Lab, and the staff is highly specialized in the study of the biology and pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia, particularly acute promielocytic leukemia, for which it is an internationally recognized center of excellence. Another focus of the research group are genetic and epigenetic alterations in myelodysplastic syndromes, de novo and therapy-related. THE OFFER OF LABORATORY SERVICES PROVIDES:
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS “Basic” panel
“Advanced” panel c-Kit, DNMT3A, IDH1/2, CEBPA, NRAS/KRAS, RUNX1, TET2, TP53, ASXL1, EZH2, MLL-PTD, DEK/NUP214, MLL/MLLT3, MLL/MLLT4, WT1, EVI1 TEACHING ACTIVITY The laboratory is responsible for the tutoring of students of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, the degree programs in Biomedical Laboratory Techniques, Medical Biotechnology, the specialty board in Hematology, and PhD programs. Teaching and training include the participation to courses, seminars and conferences, both internal, national and international. Foreign students are regularly hosted in the lab, in the context of scientific and cultural exchange programs with other European and non-European Universities and Research Centers. MAIN LINES OF RESEARCH: The group coordinates the molecular sections of the main projects: 1. A Phase II Randomized Study of Induction (Daunorubicin/Cytarabine) and Consolidation (High Dose Cytarabine) Chemotherapy + Midostaurin (PKC412) or Placebo in newly diagnosed Patients <60 Years of Age with FLT3 Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia. For this study, the Lab performed the centralized FLT3-mutational analysis for all Italian centers, which was mandatory for protocol enrolment. 2. GIMEMA AML1310 study (EudraCT number 2010-023809-36): "Risk-adapted, MRD-directed therapy for young adults with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia" with conventional chemotherapy according to the schedule "3+7", and monitored on the response of the minimum residual disease assessed by multiparameter flow cytometry”. For this protocol, the Lab performed the centralized genetic analysis for all Italian centers, which was mandatory for protocol enrolment. 3. ATRA and arsenic trioxide versus ATRA and chemotherapy in high-risk acute promyelocytic leukemia. AIRC IG N.15467 to Prof. Francesco Lo Coco 4. Integrative genomic/epigenomic profile of therapy-related myeloid neoplasms and response to hypomethylating treatment. AIRC IG N.16952 to Prof. ssa Maria Teresa Voso 5. Healthcare Alliance for Resourceful Medicines Offensive against Neoplasms in Hematology (HARMONY) Grant Agreement number: 116026— HARMONY H2020-JTI-1M12-2015-06 (KOL for AML: F. Lo Coco) 6. Prognostic role of somatic mutations in patients with higher-risk MDS or low-blast count AML treated with Azacitidine as bridge to allogeneic stem cell transplantation, enrolled in the BMT-AZA multicenter prospective study (PI: M.T. Voso) 7. FIRB 2011 - New markers for assessing susceptibility, prognosis, and potential for targeted therapies in acute leukemias, de novo and secondary, of infants and adults (P.I.: F. Lo Coco). 8. The development of a curriculum and establishment of a regional training platform for haematology in life sciences and medicine (TEMPUS- DECERPH) (P.I.: F. Lo Coco). |
StaffEmiliano Fabiani, PhD Giulia Falconi, PhD Serena Lavorgna, PhD Nelida Ines Noguera, PhD Tiziana Ottone, PhD Licia Iaccarino, PhD Laura Cicconi, MD Valentina Alfonso, PhD Student Serena Travaglini, PhD Student Cristina Banella, PhD Student Claudia Ciardi, MSc Aleandra Ferrantini, Technician Tara Mayte Suarez Viguria, Technician AddressLaboratory of Oncohematology Department of Biomedicine and Prevention Faculty of Medicine and Surgery University of Rome Tor Vergata Building E North Second Floor Via Montpellier ,1 00133 Rome, Italy Tel +39 0672596281-6278-6280 |