Professor Francesco Forconi awarded international grant to advance follicular lymphoma research

Professor Francesco Forconi, Professor of Haematology at the University of Southampton, has been awarded a prestigious Research Accelerator for Follicular Lymphoma (RAFL) Translational Award by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and the Institute for Follicular Lymphoma Innovation (IFLI).

The five-year award, beginning on 1 July 2025, will support his project titled “ Investigating the tumour-unique mannose-lectin interaction for a novel diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic antibody approach of follicular lymphoma. ”

Low-grade follicular lymphoma is the most common form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Affecting B-lymphocytes—or B cells—which are white blood cells involved in the immune system, this type of lymphoma represents up to 25% of all lymphoma cases.

Led by Professor Forconi, this project builds on over two decades of pioneering work in Southampton following the earlier discovery by Professor Freda Stevenson of a unique structural alteration in the B cell receptor (BCR)—a molecule that B cells rely on for survival and tumour formation.

In follicular lymphoma, the part of the BCR that usually recognises viruses or other pathogens, is instead occupied by a sugar molecule. This sugar blocks normal immune recognition and allows the BCR to bind to a molecule called DC SIGN, found in lymph nodes—precisely where these cancer cells grow. This interaction is now understood to play a key role in helping the tumour cells survive and multiply.

“Our research has shown that this tumour-specific sugar structure is essential for the survival of the cancerous B cells,” said Professor Forconi. “This grant will allow us to investigate this mechanism in detail and develop a targeted therapy that could block this interaction and have anti-tumour effects.

The project will be delivered in collaboration with Professors Max Crispin and Mark Cragg at the University of Southampton, and Dr Richard Burack from the University of Rochester, USA, working alongside colleagues at Harvard University.

“This award is a major recognition of Southampton’s leadership in follicular lymphoma research,” said Dr. Lore Gruenbaum, Chief Scientific Officer at LLS. “We are excited to support Dr. Forconi and his colleagues in their work to accelerate better outcomes for people with follicular lymphoma worldwide.”