Patients with relapsed/ refractory acute leukemia and relapsed/ refractory aggressive
lymphoma harboring an activating genetic alteration (gene mutation, gene fusion) or drug-able
biomarker / activated signal transduction pathway and resistant to any approved treatment
modality will be eligible for this study.
The investigators aim to combine DNA sequencing-based molecular profiling with an ex vivo
high-throughput drug screening strategy. For the latter method, viable cells are obtained
from the individual patient's lymphoma or leukemia in order to determine i)the expression of
relevant therapeutic target molecules and ii)the ex vivo response of the patient's cancer
cells to a panel of agents with anticancer activity. In addition, analysis of tumor stroma
cells will provide information about the differential target expression and cellular
sensitivity aiming at the evaluation of a therapeutic safety window. Thereby, biological
material will have to be accessed within 4 weeks before onset of individualized treatment
(real-time biopsy). Bioinformatic data-management based on a Bayesian statistical approach
will support individualized treatment decisions in this controlled clinical approach.