Dr Bela Wrench
MBBS, MD (Res), MRCP, FRCPath
Clinical Senior Lecturer
Senior Bennett Fellow
Group Leader
Research Focus
My research focuses on the fundamental aspects of leukaemia initiating cell biology in adult acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Key Publications
Toxicity During Induction Therapy in Adults With Newly Diagnosed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL): Results From the UK Multicentre Trial UKALL14. Leukemia (2017) 31, 58-64. PMID: 27480385
Mouse xenograft modelling of Human Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia provides mechanistic insights into adult LIC biology. Blood (2014) 124(1): 96-105. PMID: 24825861
Human mesenchymal stromal cells deliver systemic oncolytic measles virus to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the presence of humoral immunity. Blood (2014) 123(9):1327-35. PMID: 24345754
Differential Cytopathology and Kinetics of Measles Oncolysis in Two Primary B-cell Malignancies Provides Mechanistic Insights. Mol Ther (2011) 19(6):1034-40. PMID: 21427708
Attenuated, oncolytic, but not wild-type measles virus infection has pleiotropic effects on human neutrophil function. J Immunol (2012) 188(3):1002-10. PMID: 22180616
Major Funding
- 2018-2020- Bloodwise, Unravelling mechanisms of tumour dormancy in adult lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), £510,644
- 2016-2021- Cancer Research UK, Personalising therapy for adults with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, £208,076.47
- 2015-2018- Bloodwise, Mechanisms of Tumour Dormancy in Adult Acute Lymphoblastic, £737,787 (Renewal 2018)
Other Activities
- Member of the National Cancer Institute Adult ALL subgroup
Themes/Keywords
Research
Leukaemia initiating cells (LIC) are required for initiation and maintenance of leukaemic growth.
Current therapies fail to target these deleterious subsets resulting in a persistent risk of relapse. My group's overarching aim is to gain fundamental insight into the underlying biology of LICs with the aim of revealing dependencies that are tractable targets for therapy.
My previous work established the dominance of “niche” derived factors in driving LIC activity over cell intrinsic oncogenes providing a rationale for niche based therapy. Our ongoing studies aim to evolve our understanding of the role of microenvironment in determining the phenotypes of LIC’s, in particular cellular dormancy, an essential mechanism conferring chemo protection.
Using tractable xenotransplanation models, cellular imaging, high resolution genomics and proteomics, we aim to provide a comprehensive and coherent portrait of the complex biology of ALL- LICs with the overall aim of informing strategies for minimising leukaemia recurrence.
My laboratory interests are complimented by my clinical expertise in adult ALL (Honorary Consultant, Dept of Haemato-Oncology, St Bartholomew’s hospital). I am a member of the National Cancer Research Institute adult ALL subgroup which leads the UK’s clinical trial portfolio.
Other Activities
- Member of the National Cancer Institute Adult ALL subgroup
Major Funding
- 2018-2020- Bloodwise, Unravelling mechanisms of tumour dormancy in adult lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), £510,644
- 2016-2021- Cancer Research UK, Personalising therapy for adults with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, £208,076.47
- 2015-2018- Bloodwise, Mechanisms of Tumour Dormancy in Adult Acute Lymphoblastic, £737,787 (Renewal 2018)
Recent Publications
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For additional publications, please click here
Team
Postdoctoral Researchers
Dr Chrysi Xintaropoulou, Dr Quentin Heydt
Clinical Research Fellows
Dr Fiona Fernando
Research Technician
Ionela Pislariu
Biography
I undertook my medical studies at Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine.
After general post-graduate medical training I decided to sub-specialise in Haematology, inspired by the opportunity to link laboratory diagnostics with clinical care in a meaningful way.
In 2005 I joined Professor Letizia Foroni’s Laboratory at University College London to undertake MD research into adult ALL and MRD resistance. Subsequently, in 2008, I was awarded an intermediate Clinician Scientist Fellowship (Bloodwise) where I investigated mechanisms regulating adult leukaemia initiating cell activity.
In 2014 I joined BCI as a clinical senior lecturer to establish my own research group.