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Since 1607, Saint-Louis Hospital has been an iconic center of French medicine, initially pioneering in the treatment of infectious diseases, then dermatological and hematological conditions.

It was here that some of the major advances in leukemia treatment emerged, such as the discovery of the HLA system—a key compatibility system between transplant donors and recipients—by Jean Dausset, which earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1980.

Despite these advances, significant challenges remain: it is essential to better understand each type of leukemia in order to develop new treatments and improve patients’ quality of life.

Leukemias are aggressive diseases with complex and intensive treatments. Progress requires a deep understanding of the biology of each leukemia type. This precise knowledge of molecular mechanisms enables the development of more targeted, effective, and better-tolerated therapies.

Some forms, such as acute promyelocytic leukemia, illustrate the power of these approaches: the abnormality can be neutralized, leading to rapid recovery. These successes show that leukemias, which often have simpler biology than solid tumors, provide an ideal ground for therapeutic innovation.

But innovation does not always follow a plan. It often arises from unexpected intersections, intuitions, and collaborations. This is exactly what the Institute seeks to foster: an ecosystem where researchers and clinicians work together, in a setting conducive to the emergence of the unexpected.

Research time is not the same as patient time. Years can pass between a fundamental discovery and its clinical application. This gap reminds us of the importance of supporting free, patient, and visionary research. It is within this long-term perspective that decisive advances are born.

reated as part of the France 2030 initiative and the latest IHU call for projects, the Institute brings together the strengths of several major hospital and academic centers: Saint-Louis, Necker, Cochin, Robert-Debré, Avicenne, as well as École Polytechnique, CEA, and ESPCI. Together, we aim to make this Institute an international reference center in the fight against leukemias.

Our mission rests on three inseparable pillars: Caring, by providing treatments tailored to each patient while considering their quality of life; Research, by closely linking fundamental science to clinical practice; and Teaching, by sharing knowledge with the medical and scientific community.

The Paris Saint-Louis Leukemia Institute aims to be a driving force for transformation, capable of supporting innovative projects, showcasing French excellence, and raising public awareness about the challenges of leukemia. It seeks to give renewed visibility to a committed community working daily to improve patients’ lives.”

Pr Hugues de Thé

Director of the Leukemia Institute – Professor at the Collège de France