News

Every day, the MLL team works together to provide the best therapy for patients worldwide through rapid and targeted leukemia diagnostics. The use of artificial intelligence and digital processes is playing an increasingly central role in this. Our magazine series "The MLL introduces itself" gives you an insight into our laboratory, in this part we would like to introduce you to our Team AI.

Since our founding, MLL has been generating a wide range of knowledge on a daily basis to advance leukemia diagnostics and therapy for the benefit of patients. In order to bring this knowledge together in a central location, to structure it and to make it available to employees and colleagues who send in information in a comprehensible and up-to-date manner, the Knowledge Management department was created. We have summarized the most important information about this new department for you.

The Genome Network Hematology was founded with the aim of better networking state-of-the-art diagnostics and targeted therapy and establishing knowledge-generating patient care. Data from research projects and patient care are brought together here. Findings from patient care drive new research projects, the results of which in turn improve patient care. For example, the Hematology Genome Network aims to advance personalized medicine in hematology. We have summarized further information for you.

MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory was once again able to score points with its innovative spirit to receive the TOP 100 seal for the fifth time in a row. This award, which is presented as part of the TOP 100 Innovation Competition, is only given to especially innovative medium-sized companies. On June 23, 2023, Ranga Yogeshwar, science journalist and mentor of the competition, will personally congratulate MLL on its success at the German SME Summit in Augsburg.

The year 2022 was of particular importance for us as MLL. Many diagnostic innovations and guidelines for diagnostics, classification and prognosis are changing our laboratory workflow in many places - first and foremost the newly published WHO classification (5th Edition). The latest technology and artificial intelligence are also increasingly entering the routine. In this article, the MLL management looks back on an exciting year, highlights special highlights and thanks all our senders, partners and employees.

Every day, the MLL team works together to provide the best therapy for patients worldwide through rapid and targeted leukemia diagnostics. But what exactly does the day-to-day work of the more than 250 employees look like? Which departments and areas are there? Our magazine series "The MLL introduces itself" gives you an insight into our laboratory. In this part, we would like to introduce you to our Quality Management (QM) department.

A reliable diagnosis of myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS) requires a comprehensive and integrated diagnostic approach. A recent study shows that immunophenotyping is of great importance in this regard and can be performed using 17 different immunophenotypic parameters. In particular, the percentage of myeloid progenitor cells (MPC) was identified as a strong indicator for MDS. Read our article to learn more about the importance of immunophenotyping in the diagnosis of MDS.

Teaser: The Onkopedia recommendations on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) have been updated. In addition to adjustments to the current WHO classification, chemotherapy-free treatment regimens are now the focus for all lines of therapy. Molecular and cytogenetic testing (deletion 17p, TP53 mutation, IGHV status, and complex karyotype) remain essential for therapy selection in both first-line and relapsed settings. In addition, specific resistance mutations after therapy with BTK or BCL2 inhibitors can be investigated by molecular genetics.

The use of targeted therapies in the treatment of leukemias has become increasingly important in recent years. However, due to the genetic instability of tumor cells, resistance to the corresponding therapeutics often develops. Identification of the resistance mechanisms is of great importance in order to use alternative treatment regimens and options if necessary. In this article, we present the latest mechanisms leading to resistance formation in AML following treatment with venetoclax. Here, acquired mutations in the BAX gene play the crucial role.

MLL is expanding its range of examinations to include complete diagnostics for the identification and characterization of hemoglobinopathies. These include thalassemias as relevant differential diagnoses to iron deficiency or abnormal hemoglobins, e.g. HbS in sickle cell disease. The combination of high-resolution hemoglobin differentiation by capillary electrophoresis and comprehensive modern molecular genetics allows rapid and unequivocal diagnosis. Thus, MLL contributes to the management of these diseases, which are increasingly observed in hematological practice.

Fusion transcripts and expression profiling are keywords that are important in the diagnosis of both B-ALL and MLN-TK. In the new WHO classification, the benefit but also the need of transcriptome analysis becomes clear for both entities. In both diagnostic approaches we use whole-transcriptome-sequencing and in B-ALL we use machine learning trained algorithms for classification based on expression profiles.

New diagnostic and prognostic recommendations (WHO, ELN, IPSS-M) place increased demands on the clinically active hematologist, but also increase the information content of diagnostic data. Of course, we have adapted our diagnostic offer and especially our molecular genetic standard panels accordingly. In addition, in order to support our submitting colleagues in the interpretation of findings, we have also taken into account the latest changes in diagnostic recommendations in our "Integrated Findings". You can read everything else in the article.

Chromosome analysis is an essential part of the diagnostics of malignant hematological diseases. It plays an important role in confirming the diagnostics, classification, prognosis assessment and therapy planning. The method is considered time-consuming and demanding, both laboratory-wise and in terms of evaluation and reporting. In addition to the continuous expansion of the automation of laboratory processes, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in chromosome analysis in particular enables a significant reduction in the reporting time as well as a more objective and sensitive assessment of chromosomal changes.

We take artificial intelligence (AI) for granted these days and often use it in our everyday lives without noticing. But what does this mean for diagnostics – today and in the future? At MLL, artificial intelligence is used in various areas of diagnostics and is constantly being further developed. This not only saves time but will also facilitate the training of new staff in the future and expand opportunities for global collaboration. The aim is to provide patients with easier access to precise and rapid diagnoses and thus access to the best possible therapy.

The Munich Leukemia Laboratory and the newly founded Institute of AI for Health (AIH) of the Helmholtz Center of Munich have agreed on comprehensive collaboration for research and development. The primary goal is the implementation of machine learning and artificial intelligence in various areas of leukemia diagnostics.

Even before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw how strongly digitalization is shaping our private and professional lives and will continue to do so in the future. This also applies to innovations for daily work in the paperless Munich Leukemia Laboratory (MLL), such as the complete digitalization of all medical findings in a constantly improving digital infrastructure. However, AI will mark a new era for medical diagnostic services as well.

Whether a search engine or digital assistant is involved, artificial intelligence (AI) has long been a part of our day-to-day work. There are success stories in imaging-based diagnostics thanks to AI as well. Preliminary studies, for example, indicate that the classification of medical findings using AI is equivalent to traditional methods.

Making a patient disease diagnosis on the basis of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) data is a complex endeavor. To be able to make an exact diagnosis, medical professionals must be able to access all the available information pertaining to the specific genetic variants detected.

Those who know us know that we always look ahead, push boundaries, and rarely stand still. We have reviewed the last scientific year and summarized our research highlights in the new Research Report 2022. Feel free to get caught up in our own passion and immerse yourself in our research with us. In 2022, we were once again energized, curious, and enthusiastic about advancing the best possible leukemia diagnostics for our patients. To further facilitate reading and to better convey our data, we have included various graphical representations and summaries and we hope you enjoy the content.

In AML and ALL the application of WHO classification and ELN guidelines requires a plethora of methods to determine the diagnostic and prognostic subgroup. Especially in ALL, many different subtypes have been described, which makes accurate diagnosis a challenge. However, in recent years, whole genome and whole transcriptome sequencing have emerged as comprehensive high-throughput techniques that allow for an accurate genetic characterization. This identification of patients’ genetic fingerprint is key to a precise diagnosis and the design of personalised cancer treatments.

Even though the last two years have been dominated by the pandemic, we have kept science firmly in our mind. Providing the best possible care for our oncology patients remains our heartfelt mission. After another scientifically successful year, we would like to take the opportunity to summarize our findings of 2021. To further facilitate reading and to better convey our data, we have included various graphical representations and summaries and we hope you enjoy the content.

Visualization of genomic and transcriptomic data is essential to easily exploring those large datasets for interpretation and hypothesis generation and can further help to uncover hidden patterns and trends. With the ongoing development of sequencing and computer technologies, it has become feasible for scientists and clinicians to reliably collect large amounts of high-quality sequence information from DNA and RNA molecules. The analysis and interpretation of such datasets are now routine aspects of many research projects in biology and medicine, creating a need for new tools and methods to also visualize the data and the findings.

With the decrease of sequencing costs, the number of freely available "omics" data sets also increases, opening a nearly unlimited quantity of molecular genetic information. For the last decades the classical way of elucidating multifaceted molecular networks of diseases has been to break down the system into smaller, more traceable parts.

For nearly half a century acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) have been separated according to the percentage of bone marrow blasts. However, the last ten years have shown that the incorporation of genetic information in the classification improves its accuracy in diagnosis and prognosis.

Das Würmtal-Labor und das MLL Münchner Leukämielabor veranstalten gemeinsam - und erstmals in Kooperation - die Mikroskopierkurs-Reihe MADE (Mikroskopieren, Analysieren, Diskutieren, Einpacken). Insgesamt bieten wir 3 Kurse (MADE By Yourself, MADE für die Zukunft, MADE @ home) zu unterschiedlichen Zeitpunkten an. Für alle Infos zum Programm sowie zur Anmeldung hier klicken.

Das MLL setzt die Fortbildungsreihe mit der nächsten Veranstaltung "Hämatologische Erkrankungen mit Keimbahn-Prädisposition - Einzelfälle oder häufiger als gedacht?" fort und lädt am 19. Juli von 16 Uhr bis 18 Uhr virtuell ein. Hier finden Sie alle weiteren Informationen.

Between July 4^th and 6^th, 2023, the European Hamilton Innovation Days 2023 will take place at the MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory. Here you will have the opportunity to gain exclusive insights into the latest developments and innovations in automation industriy. Get to know different robots and automation software from Hamilton and exchange ideas with experts live on site. We look forward to your registration, all information can be found here.

Das MLL hat zusammen mit dem Comprehensive Cancer Center Klinikum Rechts der Isar TUM und dem Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken/Universitätsklinikum Würzburg das Genomnetzwerk Hämatologie gegründet. Jetzt veranstaltet das Genomnet seine erste Fortbildungsveranstaltung "Vom Myelom zum MDS" und lädt am 22. Juni von 16 Uhr bis 18 Uhr ins MLL Münchner Leukämielabor ein. Auch eine virtuelle Teilnahme ist möglich. Hier finden Sie alle weiteren Informationen.

Unsere Fortbildungsveranstaltung mit dem Thema "WHO, ICC, ELN/AML und IPSS-M: Die Bedeutung der Genetik für myeloische Entitäten von CCUS bis AML" ging am 16.11.2022 von 16.00 bis 18.00 Uhr in die zweite Runde: Im Fokus standen die Vielzahl an Neuerungen in den diagnostischen Guidelines. Die Veranstaltung fand virtuell statt, hier finden Sie alle Infos zum Programm sowie die Inhalte zur Nachschulung.