Science and Research

The IHBT Division for Science, Research and Development comprises seven departments, every one of which pursues research activities that are closely related to a highly specialized health care in the sphere of hematology, oncohematology and hemostasis and thrombosis provided by IHBT. In our research and scientific activities we deal with both basic and applied research in the areas of molecular genetics, genomics, proteomics, interactomics, metabolomics, biochemistry, immunogenetics, immunology, cytogenetics and virology. The main focus of our research is the analysis of molecular mechanisms of the formation and development of hematological diseases and laboratory monitoring of the effect of the therapeutic procedures. We cooperate with top-level research institutions and experts both from the entire Czech Republic and from all over the world. An inseparable part of the division is the provision of routine examinations, chiefly in the sphere of HLA, molecular genetics, biochemical methods or virology. Last but not least is the education of new experts, whether pregraduate or postgraduate students.

IHBT cooperates practically continuously with many major hematological centers and organizations both in the Czech Republic and abroad, e. g. the Czech Leukemia Study Group – for Life, operating in the framework of the Czech Society of Hematology of J. E. Purkyně. An example of international cooperation is, for instance, the membership in the European LeukemiaNet (ELN), securing our involvement in a series of Europe-wide and worldwide both therapeutic and research projects.
 
Basic programs of the Clinical Division

•  Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from both related and unrelated donors after standard preparation or preparation with reduced intensity from HLA-identical or haploidentical blood-related, as well as unrelated donors. IHBT is the center that performs the highest annual number of these procedures in the Czech Republic. Since 1986, when this program was launched at IHBT, we performed a total of 1,488 transplants.
•  Treatment with genetically modified autologous lymphocytes with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-T cells) and the development of our own T cells with chimeric antigen receptors.
• Intensive hematological care, including artificial lung ventilation and extracorporeal elimination methods. Apart from hematologists, this highly specialized care is also provided by experienced, skilled consultants from other medical fields.
• Diagnostics and treatment of patients suffering from acute leukemias according to current international protocols, introduction of modern pharmaceuticals and new therapies, as well as the implementation of academic clinical trials where IHBT is either the contractor or the national coordinator within the CR.
•  Program for diagnostics and treatment of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, including highly effective targeted treatment with inhibitors of tyrosine kinases and connection to international Europe-wide projects. At present over 400 patients undergo treatment. Treatment of Ph myeloproliferative diseases.