My research group works on molecular pathology, genetics and progression of leukaemia and lymphomas, aiming to improve on current diagnostic, prognostic and treatment strategies.
KDM5 inhibition offers a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of KMT2D mutant lymphomas. Blood (2021) 138(5):370-381. PMID: 33786580
The complex genetic landscape of familial MDS and AML reveals pathogenic germline variants. Nat Commun (2020) 11(1):1044. PMID: 32098966
Follicular lymphoma. Nat Rev Dis Primers (2019) 5(1):83. Review. PMID: 31831752
Recurrent mTORC1-activating RRAGC mutations in follicular lymphoma. Nat Genet (2016) 48(2):183-8. PMID: 26691987
In lymphoma our focus is a B cell malignancy called follicular lymphoma and the (epi)genomic changes responsible for the onset and severity of the disease. Although these tumours are chemo-sensitive, the disease is incurable, with many patients experiencing several episodes of relapse before the disease becomes refractory to treatment. We have traced the genetic changes in these tumours over time and uncovered a highly complex pattern of tumour evolution, consistent with the existence of a common progenitor B cell (CPC) population from which each new episode of disease is thought to arise. Current studies are focusing on characterising this CPC population and the use of KDM5 inhibition as a means of subverting the effects of mutations in the histone methyltransferase, KMT2D, that arise in >70% of FL tumours.
In leukaemia we have a longstanding interest in the study of familial acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and myelodysplasia. These studies are important both to the individual families and are providing new insights into the molecular evolution of AML, the patterns by which mutations arise and an explanation for the clinical heterogeneity that exists both within and between families. We also have a parallel programme in poor risk AML where outcomes have changed little over the past 40 years, and are following a multi-omic strategy to profile these AMLs and gain a deeper understanding of the disease in this group of patients.
Watch below: Professor Jude Fitzgibbon gives an overview of the NCRI Lymphoma Science Subgroup
Author Correction: Genome-wide association study identifies susceptibility loci for acute myeloid leukemia (Nature Communications, (2021), 12, 1, (6233), 10.1038/s41467-021-26551-x) Lin WY, Fordham SE, Hungate E et al. Nature Communications (2022) 13(7)
Acquired somatic variants in inherited myeloid malignancies Armes H, Rio-Machin A, Krizsán S et al. Leukemia (2022) (7)
Drug ranking using machine learning systematically predicts the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs Gerdes H, Casado P, Dokal A et al. Nature Communications (2021) 12(7)
Genome-wide association study identifies susceptibility loci for acute myeloid leukemia Lin WY, Fordham SE, Hungate E et al. Nature Communications (2021) 12(7)
The RUNX1 database (RUNX1db): Establishment of an expert curated RUNX1 registry and genomics database as a public resource for familial platelet disorder with myeloid malignancy Homan CC, King-Smith SL, Lawrence DM et al. Haematologica (2021) 106(7) 3004-3007
KDM5 inhibition offers a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of KMT2D mutant lymphomas Heward J, Konali L, D'Avola A et al. Blood (2021) 138(7) 370-381
Germline ETV6 variants: Not ALL created equally Rio-Machin A, Fitzgibbon J Blood (2021) 137(7) 288-289
Generation and Surgical Analysis of Genetic Mouse Models to Study NF-κB-Driven Pathogenesis of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma Maybury BD, Saavedra-Torres Y, Snoeks TJA et al. (2021) 2366(7) 321-342
Molecular genetics in indolent lymphomas Fitzgibbon J, Weigert O (2021) (7) 5-20
Inherited Myeloid Malignancies Fitzgibbon J EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN GENETICS (2020) 28(11) 17-17
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000598482600038&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=612ae0d773dcbdba3046f6df545e9f6a
Postdoctoral Researchers in this group
PhD Students
Clinical Research Fellows
Jude Fitzgibbon, PhD, is a Professor of Personalised Cancer Medicine at the Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London where he leads the Centre for Cancer Genomics and Computational Biology. His research is focused on the genetic and epigenetic changes responsible for the development and progression of leukaemia and lymphomas and the evaluation of therapeutic strategies to reverse these changes. His team has uncovered a highly complex pattern of lymphoma evolution, consistent with the existence of a common progenitor B cell from which each new episode of disease is thought to arise and has an internationally recognised programme on familial forms of myeloid leukaemia.
Professor Fitzgibbon received his Bachelor of Arts in Genetics from Trinity College Dublin in 1989 before going on to receive his Doctor of Philosophy at University College London in 1993. He holds numerous leadership roles including the Chair of the UK’s National Cancer Research Institute Lymphoma Science Subgroup, the Chair of the Danish Cancer Grants Committee, is a member of the Blood Cancer UK Grant Committee, member of the Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (AIRC) international fellowship committee, is an Associate Editor for the British Journal of Haematology and a Male Change Champion, for the international alliance, Women in Lymphoma and received a Special Commendation in the Cancer Research-UK Flame of Hope Awards for public engagement.