We promote the European ACHILLES project to train the next generation of researchers in hemato-oncology

The Instituto de Investigación contra la Leucemia Josep Carreras leads the European ACHILLES project, an initiative aimed at training a new generation of researchers in experimental hemato-oncology.

The project will train 16 researchers who, over the coming years, will join a European network of 15 leading centers across 12 countries, where they will work with advanced technologies to contribute to the development of more effective treatments and diagnostic tools for leukemia and lymphoma.

Hemato-oncology has historically been at the forefront of cancer research. The accessibility of blood and bone marrow samples has enabled the development of pioneering therapeutic strategies that have later been extended to other types of tumors. In fact, key advances such as chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and CAR-T cell therapies originated in this field.

In recent years, these innovations have opened new opportunities for many patients. However, treatments remain aggressive, with significant side effects, and relapse rates are still high. This highlights the need to continue researching in order to reduce the impact of the disease and improve survival.

In this context, the ACHILLES project is designed as a strategic initiative aimed at equipping future researchers with the knowledge and tools needed to continue advancing in the diagnosis and treatment of hematological cancers.

Funded by the Horizon Europe programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions and coordinated by Laura Belver, researcher at the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, the project brings together academic institutions and research centers from across Europe, along with partners from the biotechnology and pharmaceutical development sectors, and is supported by leading organizations such as the European Hematology Association and the European School of Haematology.

“ACHILLES is an interdisciplinary network that aims to bridge the gap between basic and preclinical research and its application in patients, training researchers capable of addressing the entire process in an integrated way and with a holistic view of translational development,” explains Dr. Belver.

The network will host participants for three years, during which they will develop projects focused on advanced experimental models, innovative analytical tools, the identification of biomarkers with diagnostic potential, and the discovery of new therapeutic targets.

With a patient-centered approach, ACHILLES promotes collaboration between academia and industry, facilitating the transfer of scientific knowledge into clinical practice. It also aligns with Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, contributing to improving survival rates and access to innovative treatments.

At the Josep Carreras Foundation, we continue to promote projects that not only generate knowledge but also train those who will lead future advances, convinced that research is key to moving closer to a cure.