Konstanze Döhner studied Medicine at the University Medical School in Heidelberg, Germany and received her M.D. degree in 1992. From the beginning she worked in the field of hematology with a special focus on myeloid malignancies, in particular acute myeloid leukemia (AML). From 1995 to 1997 she spent a postdoctoral fellowship at the German Cancer Research Center (Professor Dr. Peter Lichter) in Heidelberg, Germany, and the Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Genetics (Dr. S.W. Scherer) Toronto, Canada. Her main scientific interest was the molecular characterization of AML and the translation of her findings into clinical studies. Very early she became a member of the German-Austrian AML Study Group (AMLSG) and here she established one of the leading reference laboratories for molecular diagnostics in AML. The identification of molecular markers within a very short time window (48hrs) was a major basis for the development of risk-adapted treatment regimens as performed within the AMLSG. In 2000 Konstanze Döhner moved to the Department of Hematology/Oncology at the University Hospital Ulm (Germany) and worked as a consultant. She became head of the laboratory for Cytogenetic and Molecular Diagnostics in myeloid leukemias. In 2003 Konstanze Döhner received her board certification as Hematologist and Oncologist and in 2005 she finished her “Habilitation” and became Professor. Konstanze Döhner is involved in a large number of clinical AML studies. She is member of the European LeukemiaNet MRD working party. In 2018 she was elected as a Board Member of the European Hematology Association (EHA); in 2019 she became a member of the EHA Education committee. In addition, Konstanze Döhner was elected as a member of the Scientific Committee for Myeloid Neoplasia of the American Society of Hematology (ASH). Beside AML she also has clinical and scientific interest in myeloproliferative neoplasms. Here she is one of the founders of the German Study Group on Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (GSG-MPN). Konstanze Döhner is involved in a number of national and international scientific cooperations which is also reflected by numerous highly ranked publications.

Konstanze Döhner

Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) has become an essential tool in the diagnosis and management of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). NGS allows for the comprehensive analysis of multiple genes and their mutations simultaneously, providing valuable insights into the genetic landscape of the disease. NGS is typically used for AML patients who have been newly diagnosed, as well as those with relapsed or refractory AML. It can also be applied to patients with high-risk features or those for whom standard treatments have been ineffective...

Margareta Radić-Antolić

FLT3 (FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3) is a gene that encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase involved in cell signaling and growth regulation. Mutations in the FLT3 gene are common in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and are associated with aggressive disease and poorer prognosis. There are two main types of FLT3 mutations found in AML: internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutations and point mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain (TKD)...

Nada Suvajdžić Vuković

Treating unfit acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, who may have poor overall health or multiple comorbidities that make them unable to tolerate aggressive treatments, can be challenging. The goal in treating unfit patients is often to balance the potential benefits of therapy with the risks associated with treatment-related complications...

Ana Vidović

Panel discussion for EET Session 1: Acute myeloid leukemia - Diagnosis & therapy

Ana Vidović

Daniel Coriu

Konstanze Döhner

Margareta Radić-Antolić

Nada Suvajdžić Vuković

Brian Huntly, Professor of Leukaemia Stem Cell Biology at the University of Cambridge, is an internationally renowned leukaemia biologist and clinician-scientist. He has made several seminal contributions to our understanding of the biology and treatment of haematological malignancies. His group made the unexpected observation that malignant lymphomas may initiate in stem and progenitor cells prior to lymphoid commitment. He has a leading national and international role through long involvement with EHA, the NCRI Acute and Chronic Leukaemia groups, editorial boards and international conference organisation. He directs academic clinician-scientist training in Cambridge and his multidisciplinary team provides an outstanding training environment.

Brian Huntly

FLT3 inhibitors are a class of targeted therapies used in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients who have FLT3 gene mutations. The FLT3 gene mutations, particularly FLT3-ITD (internal tandem duplication) and FLT3-TKD (tyrosine kinase domain) mutations, are associated with aggressive disease and poorer outcomes. FLT3 inhibitors specifically target the abnormal FLT3 receptor on leukemia cells, aiming to inhibit its activity and slow down the growth of leukemia cells..

Maria Camelia Stancioaica

For patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML), treatment can be more challenging due to the resistance of the disease to previous therapies. However, there are several therapeutic options that can be considered to manage relapsed or refractory AML...

Saša Anžej Doma

Acute leukemia, specifically Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL), also known as M3 subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), is a rare occurrence after liver transplantation. APL is characterized by the presence of a specific genetic mutation (t(15;17)) that leads to the fusion of the PML and RARA genes. This fusion gene, in turn, produces an abnormal protein that disrupts the normal differentiation of myeloid cells. Developing APL after liver transplantation is unusual, and managing it presents unique challenges due to the patient's immunosuppressed state, potential interactions with the anti-rejection medications they are on, and the complexity of coordinating multiple medical teams...

Aliona Golub

Thrombosis, the formation of blood clots within blood vessels, can be a complication of acute leukemias, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Thrombosis in leukemia patients is a complex phenomenon that arises from the interaction of various factors related to the disease itself and the patient's overall health...

Mirjana Mitrovic

Panel discussion /All speakers for EET Session 2: Acute myeloid leukemia - Therapies

Saša Anžej Doma

Maria Camelia Stancioaica

Brian Huntly

Mirjana Mitrovic

Aliona Golub

Dr. Jan Trka is currently a Professor of Medical Genetics and the Head of the Laboratory Center of Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology of 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital in Prague – Motol, Czech Republic. He obtained his MD degree in Medicine and PhD in Molecular biology from Charles University in Prague, and spent several years on PhD and postdoc positions in research institutes in Austria and the UK. He has founded and leads the Childhood Leukemia Investigation Prague (CLIP) group. He is an active member of the International Members Committee and the Committee on Communication of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) and the head of the Biology and Diagnosis Committee of the International BFM Study Group (I-BFM SG). He has published over 80 peer-reviewed articles, has received a number of grants and scientific awards and is a reviewer for international journals and grant agencies. He is devoted to the childhood acute leukemia research with special interests in leukemic clone origin and development and minimal residual disease detection.

Jan Trka

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is a type of leukemia that primarily affects lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow and blood. It's characterized by the rapid proliferation of immature lymphoblasts. The morphology and immunophenotype of ALL are important aspects of its classification and diagnosis. In terms of morphology, ALL is characterized by the presence of lymphoblasts in the bone marrow and peripheral blood. These lymphoblasts are large cells with a high nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio, fine chromatin, and prominent nucleoli. They lack the normal features of mature lymphocytes...

Margarita Guenova

Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) assessment plays a critical role in the management of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). MRD refers to the small number of leukemia cells that remain in the body after treatment and become undetectable using standard methods. The presence of MRD is associated with a higher risk of relapse, while achieving and maintaining MRD negativity is correlated with better treatment outcomes.

Deniz Yılmaz Karapınar

Assessment of T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement is a method used for post-induction minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring in adult patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). T-ALL is a subtype of ALL characterized by the proliferation of immature T-cell lymphoblasts.

Biljana Todorova

The chromosomal translocation t(8;9)(p11;q33) and FGFR1 rearrangement is associated with a subtype of acute leukemia, most commonly referred to as "8p11 myeloproliferative syndrome" or "stem cell leukemia/lymphoma syndrome." This genetic abnormality involves the fusion of the FGFR1 gene with various partner genes, leading to constitutive activation of the FGFR1 receptor tyrosine kinase. This rare subtype presents both diagnostic and therapeutic challenges...

P Vojkov

Panel discussion /All speakers for Panel discussion /All speakers

Margarita Guenova

Nevenka Ridova

Deniz Yılmaz Karapınar

Jan Trka

P Vojkov

Immune therapies have emerged as promising approaches in the treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) patients, particularly for those who may not respond well to conventional chemotherapy or who experience relapse. These therapies harness the power of the immune system to target and eliminate leukemia cells. Several types of immune therapies are being investigated and utilized in the treatment of ALL...

Ahmet Ünal İnce

Immunotherapy has shown significant potential in the treatment of relapsed or refractory (R/R) Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). When standard treatments fail or the disease relapses, immunotherapeutic approaches can provide new avenues for targeting and eliminating leukemia cells...

Biljana Todorova

Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in treating adult patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL). Its potential to induce deep and sustained remissions has raised important questions about whether CAR T-cell therapy should be considered a curative treatment option or a bridge to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)...

Panagiotis Tsirigotis

The management of side effects of novel drugs in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is crucial to ensure effective treatment and improve patients' quality of life. Many novel therapies, such as targeted therapies and immunotherapies, come with unique side effect profiles...

Viktor Blaslov

Panel discussion /All speakers for EET Session 4: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia - Therapies