Early on Prof. Tura focused his clinical and scientific interests on chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), an invariably fatal disease at the time with few therapy options. He founded and chaired the Italian Study Group on CML, now with more than 80 centres, aimed at promoting research and collaboration. The group anticipated the development of cooperative group studies and was expanded on Prof. Tura’s close friend and lifelong coleague Prof. Franco Mandelli in the field of acute myeloid leukaemia.
Sante Tura published more than 700 articles and edited many textbooks which are roadmaps for young colleagues. At scientific meetings he presented lectures and actively participated in discussions, asking critical questions and commenting. He also made contributions to professional organisations, and served as President of the Italian Society of Hematology and Italian Society of Experimental Hematology. In 2000, soon after retiring, Prof. Tura was appointed president of the Bologna section of the Associazione Italiana Contro le Leucemie, Linformi e Mieloma (AIL) dedicated to promoting research, improving the quality-of-life of patients and their families and providing patient assistance.