EuNet - INNOCHRON Objectives

Specific Objectives

To achieve the main objective described in this MoU, the following specific objectives shall be accomplished:

Research Coordination

  1. to formulate common diagnostic algorithms and treatment guidelines for patients with different types of CNPs aligned with the concepts of precision medicine;
  2. to harmonize the laboratory investigation of different types of CNPs by exchanging tools, reagents, protocols and experience through inter-laboratory collaborations;
  3. to create the training modules, accessible for ECIs and other researchers as well, compiling existing knowledge, advanced methods and techniques, e.g.
    • - molecular biology techniques for the identification of disease-associated gene abnormalities, aberrant T-cell and B-cell receptor repertoire profiles and leukaemia-associated gene abnormalities such as G-CSF receptor (G-CSFR) mutations in patients treated with G-CSF;
    • - anti-neutrophil-antibody detection techniques;
    • - flow cytometry techniques for the identification of abnormalities in ΒΜ progenitor/precursor and/or peripheral blood cells;
    • - MSC culture techniques for the investigation of the role of the microenvironment in different types of CNPs;
    • - iPSC techniques for high-throughput studies and development of individualized treatments;
    • - novel technologies to profile and visualise aberrant ribosomes in human ribosomopathies; 
  4. to organize and expand CNP patient Registries and Biobanks using homogenized protocols for biological specimens’ collection, storage and management as well as template forms for patients’ informed consent following all ethical standards of the European Legal Framework including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), as well as national and local regulations;
  5. to foster entrepreneurial innovation and increase competitiveness of European research and industry though the active implication of SMEs involved in areas related to the EuNetINNOCHRON. In particular, the biotechnological and data management industrial partners within the EuNet-INNOCHRON will utilize the novel knowledge acquired through the Action towards: (i) developing commercially available kits for detection of biomarkers of prognostic/predictive significance that may be used for routine laboratory purposes; (ii) designing new in silico pipelines and software for big biodata analysis. Moreover, the advances on the pathophysiology of CNPs brought forth by the EuNet-INNOCHRON will be disseminated to the pharmaceutical industry, already closely linked to several members of this Action, towards exploring novel approaches for targeted drug development and innovative clinical trial design; 

Capacity Building

  1. To strengthen the interactions among experts in the field of neutropenias at the European level and establish research collaborations between Institutions in order to advance the knowledge on the pathogenesis of CNPs;
  2. to facilitate collaboration between existing networks in the field of neutropenias (EHA-SWGs, SCNIR, national Registries etc);
  3. to create the new generation of experts in the field of CNPs through the participation of ECIs from all over Europe in Training Schools and Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs);
  4. to contribute to capacity building within the patient community by disseminating Action progress and results and by defining and incorporating relevant outcome measures;
  5. to foster a more applied use of the novel knoweledge that will be aquired during the Action through a collaboration between scientists and industrial stakeholders.