|  |  |  | | | | Cambridge scientists’ research boost | | | | |
| |  Professor Ming Du
Release Date: 16 February 07
Patients living with lymphoma are set to benefit from a new programme of research being pioneered in Cambridge, thanks to a grant from blood cancer charity Leukaemia Research.
The Specialist Programme based at Addenbrookes Hospital will allow Professor Ming Du and his team to look at the causes of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, the third most common lymphoma worldwide.
“We know that the vast majority of MALT lymphoma of the stomach is caused by a bacteria called helicobacter pylori. Antibiotics can kill the bacteria and cure patients," said Professor Du. "However, we still don’t know what causes MALT lymphoma at other sites such as the eye, salivary gland and lung, so we are aiming to investigate this in order to improve treatment for patients with these disorders."
Another part of the programme of research, which has received over half a million pounds of funding from Leukaemia Research, will involve the team being part of a Europe-wide clinical trial. The team are using advanced screening methods to look at the different genetic changes that take place in types of MALT lymphoma. They are also analysing the different infections that have been found to cause the disease in different geographical areas in Europe.
“Thanks to this new grant, we should be able to establish the causes and development of a lymphoma that has extremely interesting characteristics," added Professor Du. "If we can pinpoint why the lymphoma occurs and also isolate the genetic changes involved, new and better treatments could be found to benefit patients with this cancer."
Leukaemia Research Scientific Director Dr David Grant said: "Our commitment to funding our lymphoma experts is really producing promising results. It is pleasing that progress of the research team in Cambridge is receiving great international acclaim."
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