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Genomics Alliance LogoThe iCMLf Genomics Alliance - Investigating clonal hierarchy in CML


The iCMLf Genomics Alliance is now partnering with the HARMONY Big Data platform to analyse genetic data from thousands of CML patients. A novel iCMLf Genomics Alliance research project, led by Professor Thomas Ernst (University Hospital Jena, Germany) will study the role of genetic aberrations in the disease course of CML.

'A goal of the iCMLf Genomics Alliance is to pool mutatational data through a shared database. This will enhance statistical power in order to understand the impact of genomic variation on treatment response for patients with CML' (Sue Branford – Chair of the iCMLf Genomics Alliance)

The iCMLf is leading the way to bring the CML community together to contribute genomic and clinical data to the HARMONY Plus database and use ‘Big Data’ to answer key questions in CML. The first project aims to elucidate the hierarchy of genomic events that underlie the disease course in CML. Currently, we have enrolled 13 sites from 11 countries, with expectations of including over 1,400 cases.

We welcome further interest from groups to contribute data, or ideas for future analysis.

Remission Alliance RGBThe iCMLf TFR Alliance - Optimising Treatment Free Remission

While a cure for CML remains the ultimate goal, treatment free remission (TFR) is often the treatment target for those on TKI therapy. Still, with only around 50% of attempts resulting in sustained TFR, there is much room for improvement.

The iCMLf TFR Alliance brings global researchers together with the aim of ensuring more people with CML can stop therapy and sustain TFR.

In 2022 the iCMLf TFR Alliance partnered with the HARMONY Alliance for a TFR project: Use of big data to identify optimal treatment pathways leading to successful treatment-free remission in CML. The objective of this research project is to effectively evaluate a multitude of factors that may predict and influence a successful TKI discontinuation for patients with CML, allowing for a sustained TFR, which could potentially be linked to long-term cure of the disease. 

“By utilising the Harmony Big-Data Platform, and using pooled data from multiple contributors within the International CML Foundation Treatment-Free Remission Alliance, we plan to investigate key components and actions potentially influencing the outcome of TKI discontinuation.” (Torsten Dahlén, Project Lead)

Project status

As of February - 24 sites from 17 countries are enrolled to participate in the iCMLf/HARMONY TFR project. Thirteen sites have successfully uploaded data, and two sites have completed the process, including data upload, transfer to the platform, and mapping. The dataset currently comprises 215 available cases, with over 3,500 expected. First data analysis is anticipated in Q3 2024.

CD5171 FunRun Run Ride Cure RED 01

Join us on the 2021 Run.Ride.Cure Challenge - Let's move towards a cure for CML

After our successful campaign last year, in October we will again join together to raise funds for the iCMLf. Will you join us on the 2021 Run.Ride.Cure Challenge?

Do you want a challenge? Do you need motivation to move after lockdown? Choose your activity and join the CML community to raise much-needed funds for the iCMLf's work to cure CML.

All Funds raised through this challenge will contribute to the iCMLf global research accelerating the development of more effective and safer treatment strategies for people with CML.

Global collaborations lead to ‘Big Data’.

Big data leads to big results.

You can help us!

Choose between three different options to support the Run.Ride.Cure challenge:

Read more and join the Run.Ride.Cure team...

Mount Kilimanjaro has been climbed. CML can be cured.

IMG 20191104 WA0002 Mount Kilimanjaro has been climbed! In 2019 the iCMLf undertook a unique charity challenge to raise funds for the iCMLf CURE CONSORTIUM The funds raised will play an integral role in getting closer to a cure for CML. An amazing team of 26 climbers – researchers, doctors, patients and supporters from all over the world raised over $300,000 for the work of the Foundation. From 26 October to 3 November the Climb for a cure team sucessfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. The youngest climber was 18 years old, a CML patient from Germany.

$304,464 total funds raised by the Climb for a Cure team

26 participants from all over the world including Africa, Australia, Europe, Middle East, South America and USA

Click here to see our Climb for a Cure Mount Kilimanjaro video

Timothy HughesThe iCMLf CURE CONSORTIUM

Concerted global effort working towards a cure for CML

"There are currently estimated to be over 800,000 CML patients globally. CML is predicted to become the most prevalent leukaemia by 2040 when there are projected to be over 3 million patients worldwide. A concerted global effort working towards a cure is imperative.
The iCMLf is uniquely positioned to drive this effort.” 
(Tim Hughes, iCMLf Chairman)

With the increasing prevalence of CML a concerted global effort working towards a cure is imperative. As a global organisation led by clinicians and researchers at the forefront of this disease, the iCMLf is uniquely positioned to do this. The iCMLf is increasingly turning to global priorities through precision medicine approaches aiming to improve outcomes for patients with CML.

The iCMLf will drive this effort by bringing interested parties together on specific projects under the banner of 'cure'. The Foundation has formed a CURE CONSORTIUM to focus our efforts working towards a cure for CML. Specifically, we plan to build multicentre global research collaborations to accelerate the development of more effective and safer treatment strategies with the view that these will lead to a cure.

 DSC3463 KopieAlliance 2: The iCMLf TFR Alliance

Maximising achievement of TFR while minimising failed TFR attempts and other negative outcomes

The iCMLf also formed a second Alliance under the banner of CURE - the iCMLf Treatment-Free-Remission (TFR) Alliance. The mission of the iCMLf TFR Alliance is to maximise achievement of TFR while minimising failed TFR attempts and other negative outcomes.

 DSC3214 KopieAlliance 1: The iCMLf Genomics Alliance

Developing a genome-based risk-calculator for newly diagnosed CML patients

The iCMLf has formed a Genomics Alliance to develop a genome-based risk calculator for newly diagnosed CML patients. The Alliance aims to harness the wealth of genomic information that is generated in local CML research projects by building a platform to facilitate data assimilation and sample exchanges. Combining many data sets and facilitating global collaborative studies will enable us to develop a baseline predictor of adverse outcomes.


The Climb for a Cure Corporate sponsors

Just like on the mountain we would not have been so successful without a strong team. We are very grateful for all the support we received in the past year – from all our climbers who worked so hard to raise funds and to prepare for the climb and from every single person who supported us with their donations - among them an anonymous donation of $ 100,000.

We acknowledge all of our corporate sponsors for their generous support: