The Working Parties (WP) are at the core of GIMEMA’s scientific operation. They are work teams focusing on specific topics in the field of haematology.
The WPs are scientifically autonomous and operate in full compliance with the procedures that the Foundation adopts in conducting its clinical trials.
With the support of the Data Centre, they develop and manage the scientific recommendations and contribute to the definition of the guidelines. They are also the main driving force behind the updating and professional training activities.
There are 9 operational Working Parties, some geared towards specific types of pathologies while others adopt a more cross-sectional approach to address a variety of topics and pathologies.
The following Working Parties are currently operational:
Acute Leukaemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome WP
The Acute Leukaemia Working Party is one of GIMEMA’s long-time working parties. The group suggests and promotes new therapeutic strategies for acute leukaemia and the results achieved in recent years in pathologies like Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia (APL) and Acute Lymphoid Leukaemia Ph+ (LAL Ph+) are of great importance.
This group also includes myelodysplastic syndromes, diseases that can evolve into acute leukaemia.
Chronic Myeloproliferative Neoplasm WP
Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML), Polycythaemia Vera, Essential Thrombocythemia and Idiopathic Myelofibrosis are among the many Chronic Myeloproliferative Neoplasms to which GIMEMA has dedicated a working party that includes the most high-ranking national experts.
Chronic Lymphoproliferative Syndromes WP
Chronic Lymphatic Leukaemia (CLL), Hairy Cell Leukaemia and B-cell Prolymphocytic Leukaemia are part of the family of diseases termed Chronic Lymphoproliferative Syndromes. GIMEMA has assigned a working party to these diseases ever since 2004, that has achieved relevant results, especially for Chronic Lymphatic Leukaemia.
Thrombocytopenia and Anaemia WP
Anaemia and Thrombocytopenia are blood diseases that can arise in both a primary and secondary form, as a consequence of another blood disease. GIMEMA engages with these diseases through scientific studies performed by a specific Working Party.
Immunotherapy WP
In 2021 a new working party on immunotherapies was added. GIMEMA research in this fiend has achieved sensational results for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (LAL) and experiments are now in the pipeline on CAR-T cells.
These are therapies that do not use chemotherapy or radiotherapy drugs, but instead exploit immune-mediated mechanisms, ones that are delivered via the patient’s antibodies and T-lymphocytes.
The working party is focusing on the study of broad-spectrum immunotherapies that extend beyond treatments for cancer diseases.
Haemostasis and Thrombosis WP
The Haemostasis and Thrombosis Working Party studies clinical aspect and haemorrhagic complications can also arise during various stages of blood diseases. That’s why GIMEMA has created a specific working party to cover this issue.
The Haemostasis and Thrombosis Working Party studies clinic aspects that are of interest to the activities of the other working parties.
Haemorrhages and blood clots can arise both at the start of the haematological disease and during the treatment pathway. Studying the causes and mechanisms, to prevent them and keep them in check, is very important because it enables the patient to complete the therapy.
Quality of life WP
The GIMEMA Foundation has set up a Working Party on Quality of Life to study the extent to which the disease, or a particular therapy, impacts people’s lives. With this information more appropriate therapeutic choices can be made that improve the care the patients receive and their quality of life.
Infection WP
The Infection Working party was borne out of the joint efforts and aims of the SEIFEM (Epidemiological Surveillance of Blood Disease Infections) academic research group and the broad GIMEMA family.
The work group studies the infections that specifically target haematological patients as well as those that can more seriously impact the state of health of patients suffering from blood diseases.
Multiple Myeloma WP
Over the past two decades, the introduction of new drugs has significantly increased the quality of response to treatment, duration of remission, quality of life and survival of patients with Multiple Myeloma.
The Working Party is activating new studies to understand how the drugs are used in clinical practice and to evaluate the use of new drugs in the treatment of the disease.