Our funded research

We are expanding our research programme to ensure new discoveries and breakthroughs reach patients sooner.

We will find and fund the very best blood cancer research projects and exceptional researchers.

At Leukaemia UK we know the importance of funding research, novel cutting-edge projects that promise to expand our understanding of leukaemia, discover and develop new treatments and improve care for the disease. Research has already played a vital role to drive progress in leukaemia diagnosis, treatment and care which has resulted in better survival rates over the past 40 years.

Despite progress, a leukaemia diagnosis still devastates the lives of too many families every year and we want to stop this happening. Leukaemia has one of the lowest survival rates of all blood cancers, and sadly almost 5,000* lives are lost to leukaemia each year in the UK.

Devastatingly, leukaemia is also the most common type of childhood cancer accounting for around a third of all cancers in under 15s.*

We believe that medical research holds the key and we want to ensure we’re exploring as many possibilities as we can to save lives and improve quality of life for leukaemia patients.

*Leukaemia UK annual report 2022

How are our research projects funded?

We are a UK charity, and we wouldn’t be able to continue to fund research into leukaemia and other blood cancers without donations from our supporters. Their generosity enables our medical researchers to discover the latest breakthroughs in cancer treatment and diagnosis.

Our research portfolio, past and current projects include funding for potentially high-impact science through project grants, fellowships and scholarships for early careers researchers and the first ever UK clinical trials initiative for stem cell transplants.

View some of our latest and most ground-breaking research projects. From empowering natural killers in our immune system to detecting faulty blood cells before they cause blood cancer. Our research team are already making an impact, thanks to supporters like you.

Live projects

Discover world-class research projects funded by Leukaemia UK which are currently live. You can also view our previously funded projects.

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)

The RUNX1 effect – the impact of different mutations on AML

The RUNX1 effect – the impact of different mutations on AML

Testing a potential new treatment for AML

Testing a potential new treatment for AML

Can we reshape AML’s microenvironment to save lives?

Can we reshape AML’s microenvironment to save lives?

Disrupting AML’s energy source to find better treatments

Disrupting AML’s energy source to find better treatments

Could we predict or prevent relapse after stem cell transplant?
hand stopping dominoes from falling

Could we predict or prevent relapse after stem cell transplant?

Could exploiting AML’s weaknesses lead to new treatments?

Could exploiting AML’s weaknesses lead to new treatments?

A stepping-stone to improving survival from AML

A stepping-stone to improving survival from AML

Can we develop better targeted treatments for AML?

Can we develop better targeted treatments for AML?

Targeting fusion proteins to treat AML

Targeting fusion proteins to treat AML

Could blocking an enzyme be the missing piece to transform AML treatment?

Could blocking an enzyme be the missing piece to transform AML treatment?

Could a gene that helps cancer cells survive be the key to finding new ways to wipe them out? 

Could a gene that helps cancer cells survive be the key to finding new ways to wipe them out?

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)

In pursuit of new treatment combinations for B-ALL

In pursuit of new treatment combinations for B-ALL

Let’s find the off switch for leukaemia

Let’s find the off switch for leukaemia

Let’s find the off switch for leukaemia

Pin-pointing the origins of an aggressive leukaemia

Could unravelling a key protein help us find new treatments for T-ALL?

Could unravelling a key protein help us find new treatments for T-ALL?

B-cell lymphomas

Can we stop B cell lymphoma cells evading treatment?

Can we stop B cell lymphoma cells evading treatment?

What role do sugar modifications play in the rapid growth of Burkitt Lymphoma?

What role do sugar modifications play in the rapid growth of Burkitt Lymphoma?

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)

Empowering the natural killers in our immune system

Empowering the natural killers in our immune system

Unleashing the power of natural killers against CLL

Unleashing the power of natural killers against CLL

Targeted care for CLL: Can an App help put patients’ minds at ease? 

Targeted care for CLL: Can an App help put patients’ minds at ease?

Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)

Can the unique differences between stem cells tell us how well CML treatment will work?

Can the unique differences between stem cells tell us how well CML treatment will work?

Infant leukaemia

Unveiling the role of fat molecules: a new perspective on infant leukaemia

Unveiling the role of fat molecules: a new perspective on infant leukaemia

Exploring new ways to treat infant leukaemia

Exploring new ways to treat infant leukaemia

Juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia (JMML)

In search of a new targeted therapy for childhood leukaemia

In search of a new targeted therapy for childhood leukaemia

Myeloma

Can immune cells affect risk of progression in smouldering myeloma?

Can immune cells affect risk of progression in smouldering myeloma?

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs)

The road to new immunotherapy for MPN patients

The road to new immunotherapy for MPN patients

Discover more life-changing research with previously funded projects

Past projects