Modeling the clonal evolution of high-risk CLL (C04)

• Subject Area: Bioinformatics and Theoretical Biology ; Hematology, Oncology
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 455784452

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a heterogenous disease with clinical courses that range from very indolent to rapidly progressing cases. By using new computational methods, we aim to identify low- and high-risk CLL cases to subsequently model clonal evolution towards therapy resistance and a more aggressive type of CLL. In addition, we will analyze further pairs of pre-treatment and relapse cases that have been treated with the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax. With our evolutionary reconstruction method we aim to uncover new resistance mechanisms and to combine our findings with long-term correlative clinical data to ultimately improve the care of patients with CLL.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1530: Elucidation and targeting of pathogenic mechanisms in B cell malignancies
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Project Heads: Dr. Kirsten Fischer; Professor Dr. Martin Peifer