Integrated multi-angle research and training network to eradicate leukemia minimal residual disease

MIRACLE-Leukemia is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie doctoral network and aims to combat MRD to improve leukemia treatment

LEARN

offering a specialist and complementary education and training program

NAVIGATE

capturing management and coordination

SHARE

arranging translation and dissemination

Our objectives

Take an integrated, multidisciplinary and intersectoral approach to address the key unresolved questions on the molecular and cellular basis of acute leukemia MRD

Establish a shared preclinical data platform on MRD characteristics
Unite key European experts to attain a critical mass in expertise and datasets
Develop treatment approaches improving survival outcomes and spare patients from treatments that are ultimately ineffective and toxic
Train the experts of tomorrow that can influence future research, trial design and medicine policy.

Our research projects

10 research projects collectively focus on advancing the understanding and treatment of acute leukemia MRD by leveraging cutting-edge techniques such as artificial intelligence, single-cell omics, multiomic and metabolomic profiling, identification of niche-dependent MRD vulnerabilities, in vivo CRISPR-CAS9 screening and epigenetic single cells analysis.

The studies aim to optimize treatment decisions, develop translational organ-on-chip 3D MRD models, and design immune-based therapeutic approaches such as CAR T cells homing to the bone marrow and directed to therapy-induced senescence, persistent leukemic blasts in Down syndrome patients, acute leukemia MRD and leukemic stem cells (LSCs). Together, the 10 doctoral candidates will address the key unresolved questions on the molecular and cellular basis of acute leukemia MRD and bridge preclinical and clinical research to come up with novel ideas on how to eradicate MRD and improve patient outcomes.

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Our partners

MIRACLE is an international, multidisciplinary and multisectoral training program consisting of 23 academic and non-academic partners from 8 EU countries (The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, United Kingdom). The project is coordinated by Dr. Linda Smit and Prof. Jacqueline Cloos of the Amsterdam UMC department of Hematology.