Single-cell genomics shows promise in identifying residual cancer cells and in the early stratification of cancer patients based on tumour heterogeneity, prognostic biomarkers and molecular profiles. Therefore, the implementation of single-cell genomics in clinical settings has the potential to accelerate precision therapy efforts for malignant diseases.
Our cross-border research team, consisting of leading interdisciplinary stakeholders from academia, industry and hospitals, will collaborate to conduct a proof-of-concept study on the potential of single-cell genomics as a precision medicine tool for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) – a model disease for several cancers.
This project builds on the applicants’ close ties as founders of advanced single-cell genomics infrastructures in Lund and Copenhagen, their access to unique patient material and their computational platforms for optimised, easily accessible analysis and curation of single-cell data. This pipeline provides a unique opportunity to address some of the most fundamental questions in cancer research. Here, we will analyse blood and bone marrow samples from CML patients, focusing specifically on the leukaemic stem cell (LSC) population from patients in remission and relapse. This will enable us to investigate how cellular and molecular heterogeneity impacts therapy response, observe the early expansion of leukaemic clones and prospectively isolate relapse-initiating residual LSCs.
For further information about this HALRIC pilot project, please contact:
Göran Karlsson
Lund University
goran.karlsson@med.lu.se
