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A single congenital gene mutation can increase the risk of leukemia / The MyPred research network, which is now being funded again, is investigating how the diseases develop and what effective therapy might look like

The research network "MyPred - Development of early detection and treatment strategies for young people with a predisposition to myeloid neoplasia" is being funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) for a further three years with 2.5 million euros as part of the funding priority "Translational collaborative projects in the field of rare diseases". Experts from the Medical Center - University of Freiburg and the University Hospitals of Tübingen, Hanover, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and Erlangen will address the topic in ten basic, translational and patient-oriented research projects.

"We have set ourselves the goal of improving the medical treatment and care of children and adolescents with a predisposition to leukemia," says MyPred project coordinator Dr. Miriam Erlacher from the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at the Center for Pediatrics - University of Freiburg. "This includes establishing experimental disease models, researching disease mechanisms and discovering new genetic risk factors. In particular, our goal is to improve early detection programs and therapies for patients," continues Erlacher.

Early detection and therapy as goals

Myeloid neoplasms include myelodysplastic syndromes and leukemias such as acute myeloid leukemia, juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, transient abnormal myelopoiesis (TAM) in Down's disease and others. Some of these genetic changes not only lead to an increased risk of leukemia, but can also be associated with other physical abnormalities. By integrating patient registries, MyPred covers most known genetic predispositions for myeloid neoplasms and can reach almost all affected patients in Germany. "It is very important to us to advise, inform and support affected people and their families and to raise awareness of genetic risk factors for leukemia among physicians and other professionals," says Erlacher.

"The targeted support and treatment of patients with rare diseases requires a deep understanding of the underlying causes. The Medical Center - University of Freiburg has long had a focus on this. I am very pleased that our work is making an important contribution to improving the quality of life of affected people and their families," says Prof. Dr. Lutz Hein, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine - University of Freiburg and Board Member of the Medical Center - University of Freiburg.

Further information can be found at www.mypred.de