CLLS 2023 Symposium: Advancements in Childhood Leukemia and Lymphoma Research

(Vienna, 07.05.2023) The 13th Biennial Childhood Leukemia and Lymphoma Symposium (CLLS) unfolded in Valencia, where St. Anna CCRI, Labdia, and St. Anna Children’s Hospital actively participated.

CLLS is a pivotal platform for fellows, researchers, and junior faculty to share groundbreaking insights into malignant hematological malignancies, fostering cross-border networks, inclusivity, and collaborative research projects. Keynote topics encompassed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), translational research in ALL and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), cellular therapies in leukemia and NHL, myeloid disorders, therapy and outcome of leukemia and lymphoma in low- and middle-income countries, and shaping the landscape of future ALL trials, among others.

Prognostic Factors in DUX4 Leukemia

Dagmar Schinnerl, Postdoc at St. Anna CCRI’s Genetics of Leukemias Group, unveiled pivotal insights into the prognostic relevance of DUX4 leukemia. Notably, patients treated in Austria according to ALL-BFM protocols exhibited positive outcomes. However, those with concurrent TP53 gene mutations faced a heightened risk of relapse, emphasizing the need for early mutation screening and prospective studies for tailored treatment strategies.

Catalyst for Advancements in Hematological Malignancies

Under the organization of Andishe Attarbaschi and Arndt Borkhardt, CLLS 2023 served as a paramount platform for presenting novel clinical and basic research on malignant hematological malignancies. The symposium facilitated meaningful discussions among fellows, researchers, and junior faculty.