Why does childhood leukemia behave so differently from adult leukemia? This question has driven Jenny Hansson’s research since she established her lab at Lund University eight years ago. By investigating the unique biological mechanisms of leukemia across age groups, she hopes to pave the way for more targeted, personalized treatments in the future.
“Our goal is to pinpoint the specific vulnerabilities in childhood and adult leukemia,” Jenny Hansson explains. “By understanding these differences, we can identify new targets for therapies that are more effective and tailored to each patient.”
Investigating Key Differences in Leukemia
Jenny Hansson and her team’s initial research using animal models studied the early stages of MLL-rearranged leukemia, an aggressive form of the disease that affects both infants and adults. This early work helped reveal potential treatment targets often overlooked by current therapies.
“By studying the pre-leukemic stages of the disease and analyzing how specific proteins – the chief actors within the cells – are expressed, we have been able to identify proteins that distinguish childhood leukemia from adult leukemia,” notes Jenny Hansson. “These proteins could become valuable targets for precision medicine in the future.”
With this new grant, the team will expand their research from animal models to human leukemia cell lines and samples from patients with acute leukemia. They will also broaden their investigation to understand how leukemic cells interact and communicate with their surroundings using proteins.
“This is an important next step for us,” says Jenny Hansson. “The funding will allow us to identify additional proteins that may be critical to disease development, understand how our findings apply to human disease, and study the interplay with the microenvironment in greater detail. With these insights, we can determine which protein targets could be most effective for treating leukemia.”
Exploring the Immune System’s Role
Jenny Hansson and her research team also plan to study how the disease interacts with the immune system, particularly T cells. These immune cells play a key role in defending the body against infections and cancer. By studying and manipulating immunopeptides—molecules that cells present to the immune system—they aim to discover markers that are unique to acute leukemia.
“We are optimistic that we will be able to induce immunopeptides that are exclusive to leukemia cells,” says Jenny Hansson. “If we can confirm these differences, it could help us understand the specific vulnerabilities of childhood versus adult leukemia and potentially leading to immune-based therapies tailored to each patient’s specific form of the disease.”
Building Momentum for the Future
The SSMF Consolidator Grant will provide crucial support as Jenny Hansson and her team continue their work toward better understanding—and ultimately treating—acute leukemia.
“We believe that by focusing on the molecular details of leukemia, we can speed up the development of treatments that are not only more precise but also less harmful.”
“Receiving this grant from SSMF is a huge vote of confidence in our research,” Jenny Hansson reflects. “It’s incredibly reassuring to know that others believe in what we are doing, and this support will help us build momentum for the future.”
