Research project
The team’s scientific project focuses on characterizing the molecular and cellular mechanisms governing the development of lymphomas, particularly peripheral T-cell lymphomas, including cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. The two main study models are lymphomas derived from follicular helper T cells or TFH lymphomas (the most common lymphoma in the West, led by angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma) and Sézary syndrome, which provides easy access to viable tumor cells thanks to its leukemic expression. The team includes internationally recognized principal investigators in the fields of oncogenesis of peripheral and cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (Professors Philippe Gaulard, François Lemonnier, Marie-Hélène Delfau, Corinne Haioun, David Sibon, and Nicolas Ortonne) and, more broadly, a multidisciplinary team with highly complementary skills.
The team is interested in the nature and functional consequences of molecular alterations characterizing tumor cells, paying particular attention to the hierarchy of genetic events, the nature of the cells involved in initiating events, their phenotypic/molecular aberrations, and the interactions of tumor cells with their environment. The molecular analyses we are currently conducting benefit from cutting-edge technologies, such as single-cell sequencing and the study of tumors using multiplexed spatial techniques. We are also developing in vitro and ex vivo proofs of concept for new therapeutic approaches, taking advantage of preclinical study models established from cell lines, primary cells, and mouse models.
The ultimate goal of these projects is to identify new targets or therapeutic concepts based on chemical inhibitors or monoclonal antibodies, which will improve the care of patients with T-cell lymphomas.
Beyond our integration into the Mondor Institute, with access to its various technical platforms, our work is based in particular on:
– Annotated patient cohorts from LYSA (LYmphoma Study Association) clinical trials, of which members of our team are board members (F Lemonnier, C Haioun, and MH Delfau);
– Tumor sample collections available at the Henri Mondor site, stored in the biological resource platform, in conjunction with national networks of expertise certified by INCa (Lymphopath and the French Group for the Study of Cutaneous Lymphomas [GFELC] National Network of Cutaneous Lymphomas [RNLC], partly coordinated by Prof. N. Ortonne), established on the basis of national research projects (PHRC TENOMIC, Prof. P. Gaulard and KIRs, Prof. N Ortonne), etc.), or prospective projects (collection of cutaneous lymphomas, LYCUT);
– Interactions with academic partners (International Lymphoma Study Group, of which N Ortonne is an elected member), learned societies (EHA, EORTC-CLTG, etc.) and research funding agencies at national and international level;
– Industrial partnerships/collaborations, partly through the CALYM Carnot Institute;
– The establishment of mouse models developed by the team (PDX or CDX xenograft mice);
– Patents relating to new targets or new therapeutic concepts for T-cell lymphomas.
