Leukaemias are the most common cancers affecting children while malignant lymphomas – including
non-Hogkin lymphomas (NHL) – comes in third position after brain tumours. A significant number of
children with leukaemia/lymphomas still fail current therapies. The aim of CHILDHOPE project is to
develop a safe and efficient adoptive immuno-therapy for children with advanced or refractory
malignancies.
CHILDHOPE particularly focuses on three paediatric tumours: acute B-lineage
lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin B-lineage lymphoma and acute myeloid leukaemia. The
CHILDHOPE project is a new approach in paediatric cancer treatment since it brings from bench to
bedside (and back) an innovative technology as yet never applied in children with advanced or
refractory haematopoietic malignancies.
The CHILDHOPE translational research project will focus on:
Improving and testing efficacy and the safety of anti-leukaemia/lymphoma chimaeric T cells in
relevant preclinical models in vitro and in vivo in mice.
Scaling-up this technology to numbers suitable for a clinical application in children with
haematopoietic malignancies.
Based on biological material obtained from our preclinical models and from children treated with
these genetically engineered T-cells, dissecting the interface between the host’s tumour and
immune cells and use this knowledge to understand the mechanisms of anti-tumour action, validate
novel targets and diagnostic tools specific to children affected with leukaemia or lymphomas.
The CHILDHOPE project is built on the excellence of a network of EU-based partners with a broad
experience in the field of paediatric haematology and oncology, immunology and cell & gene therapies
and integrates the international confederation of parents with children with cancer and an SME
specialised in the project management.
Dr Eve-Marie NEIDHARDT-BERARD Cellular Therapy, 28 rue Laennec - 69373 Lyon cedex 08 - France
assistant +33-478782843; office: +33-478785100; fax : +33-478782703
