Dr. Cohen, originator of Duke University's Geriatrics Fellowship, has won the prestigious award for his work in geriatric medicine and cancer research. He will present a lecture at GSA's 57th Annual Scientific Meeting.
Researchers have developed blood cells without animal serum, paving the way for potential human applications. The new method uses specific growth factors to guide cell differentiation, avoiding contamination risks associated with animal serum.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found a gene-silencing technique that induces cell death in drug-resistant CML cells. The technique targets the Lyn kinase enzyme, which is essential for cancerous blood cells to survive and grow.
The NIH awards $1 million for research on Diamond Blackfan anemia, a genetic blood disorder linked to increased risk of adult cancers and birth defects. Researchers will broaden the DBA Registry of North America to gain insight into cancer susceptibility and develop new approaches for examining the origins of this disease.
A new partnership aims to develop nanotechnology tools for linking molecular signatures to cancer behavior and clinical outcome. Researchers will create nanoparticles for molecular profiling of cancer, as well as imaging microscopes and software integrated with nanotechnology discoveries.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have found that a potential small molecule inhibitor, (-)-gossypol, can boost the effectiveness of radiation therapy and chemotherapy in human prostate tumors in mice. The study demonstrates increased induction of apoptosis, making cancer cells more sensitive to treatment.
A collaboration between pharmaceutical manufacturers, healthcare agencies, and researchers led to a significant reduction in epoetin-associated pure red-cell aplasia. The incidence decreased by 83% after improvements were made in storage and handling of the drug.
A recent study led by Dr. Ardeshir Ghavamzadeh and Dr. Kamran Alimoghaddam found that arsenic achieved complete remission in over 90% of newly diagnosed APL patients. The treatment has also shown promising results in other cancers like multiple myeloma, with a mean survival time of nearly 34 months for most patients.
A retrospective study from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that high levels of telomerase gene expression are associated with an unfavorable outcome for children treated for osteosarcoma, including lower progression-free survival rates and decreased overall survival.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have identified leukemia stem cells in chronic myelogenous leukemia, a breakthrough that could lead to new targeted therapies. The discovery reveals that normal adult cells can mutate into cancer stem cells, which are resistant to chemotherapy and require a specific protein called Wnt to self-renew.
A blood stem cell has been found to give rise to bone in mice, suggesting a potential basis for treatments to repair or restore bone. The study used retroviral integration site analysis to prove that a single type of stem cell can produce two distinct bodily tissues.
A defect in blood vessel formation due to the LBP-1a gene mutation can lead to growth retardation, spontaneous abortion, and infant death. The study found that embryos lacking LPB-1a had abnormally large and thin blood vessels, preventing nutrient exchange with the mother's blood.
A study published in Science reports the effectiveness of a new compound, BMS-354825, against Gleevec-resistant Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) cells. The compound targets secondary mutations that allow cancer to evade therapy, offering hope for patients who have relapsed on Gleevec.
The study found that low- and intermediate-risk MDS patients benefit from delayed bone marrow transplantation after diagnosis, while high- and intermediate-risk patients may maximize overall survival with immediate transplantation. This research provides valuable insights for managing myelodysplasia patients.
Researchers from Indiana University have identified adult type stem cells that can be grown in large quantities and easily modified with genes. These endothelial progenitor cells show promise as a new gene therapy tool for treating circulatory problems, such as diabetes-related amputations and heart attack repair.
Regular cardiac monitoring and prompt treatment can prevent and reverse severe heart dysfunction in thalassemia major patients. The study found that intensive deferoxamine mesylate treatment significantly improved survival rates among those who complied with therapy.
Researchers found Veglin to be safe and effective in lowering blood levels of key enzymes, showing promise in blocking tumor growth and metastasis. The phase I trial has shown encouraging results in patients with diverse disease types, paving the way for future phase II clinical trials.
A retrospective study of 110 elderly leukemia patients found similar complete remission and two-year survival rates as younger patients when treated with anthracyclin-based induction chemotherapy. The study's findings suggest that age is not a predictor of survival, but rather the treatment protocol received.
Researchers have discovered a new clinical treatment, SU11248, that overcomes resistance to Gleevec in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). The drug has shown striking clinical benefits, stabilizing the disease in 65% of patients and inducing partial responses in 13%.
A new breast cancer treatment, gemcitabine with paclitaxel, has been shown to extend overall survival in women with advanced breast cancer. The study found that median overall survival was 18.5 months for the combination therapy, compared to 15.8 months for paclitaxel alone.
A novel therapeutic bortezomib combination will be tested in a phase II trial for advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The regimen, combining bortezomib with gemcitabine and carboplatin, shows promise in preclinical research, where giving bortezomib last may enhance its effectiveness.
Researchers at UC Davis Cancer Center discovered that sequential administration of erlotinib and docetaxel enhances effectiveness in treating non-small cell lung cancer. The study showed that giving docetaxel first, then erlotinib, was more effective than simultaneous or alternative administration.
Women's lungs are more damaged by cigarette smoke, leading to a different treatment response and outcomes. Research funding is needed to understand the causes of this disparity in lung cancer incidence among women.
Researchers found that combining Avastin with chemotherapy improves median survival, reduces risk of death and increases response rates in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. The study showed a nearly five-month improvement in patient survival, demonstrating the potential of targeting tumor blood supply as a viable treatment option.
Researchers found that NKT cells are attracted to tumors producing the chemokine CCL2, leading to better patient outcomes. Neuroblastomas with abnormally high levels of the cancer-causing gene MYCN contained fewer NKT cells and produced less CCL2.
A study of 160 pregnant women with genetic risk factors for thrombophilia found that enoxaparin significantly reduced pregnancy loss compared to low-dose aspirin. Women taking enoxaparin had a normal live birth rate of 86% and healthy newborns, while those on aspirin suffered more pregnancy losses.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston have unraveled the biology behind chronic inflammatory anemia and propose new drug targets. They found a key regulator of hepcidin, a hormone controlling iron levels, and suggest that inhibiting it may improve treatment for patients with anemia of chronic disease.
A recent study has found a dramatic increase in lung cancer incidence in women, with many cases occurring in non-smokers who stopped smoking years ago. The study also reveals that women's response to targeted therapies is more favorable than men, raising questions about the differences between male and female lung cancer.
Researchers found that higher doses of imatinib were more effective in achieving complete cytogenetic response (CCR) and complete molecular response, with a CCR rate of 90% compared to 60-75%. The high dosage was also well-tolerated with similar side effects as standard dose imatinib.
A new DNA test using Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy has been developed to identify patients with myelodysplasia (MDS) or those at high risk of developing the disease. The test is highly predictive and can distinguish MDS patients from those with non-malignant bone marrow disorders.
Researchers identified gene expression profiles associated with short-term and long-term outcomes in adult T-ALL patients. A three-gene model was found to be highly predictive of remission duration, offering new hope for customized treatment plans.
A pilot study demonstrates that detecting the presence of the ERBB2 protein in medulloblastoma tumor samples can help predict which children with medulloblastoma will require more intensive treatment. This knowledge can aid in minimizing lasting effects of therapy and increasing survival rates.
A clinical trial was stopped early after showing an unacceptably high risk of breast cancer recurrence in women who received hormone therapy. The study found that even short-term use of HRT poses a significant risk, prompting the need for alternative safe and effective strategies for managing menopausal symptoms in these women.
The study found that vinculin changes its shape in response to protein binding, enabling it to regulate cell movement and adhesion. This versatile protein plays a critical role in both healthy development and disease progression, including cancer cell spread.
A study by UCLA researchers found that individuals with shy personalities tend to have higher viral loads and faster disease progression, even on antiretroviral therapy. This suggests that high-stress individuals may be more susceptible to HIV replication due to their heightened nervous system response.
The American Society of Hematology has awarded Gary Gilliland and Janet Rowley for their significant contributions to hematology research. Dr. Gilliland's work on the molecular pathogenesis of leukemia and discovery of a cause for hypereosinophilic syndrome have provided new ways to understand cancer, while Dr. Rowley's discoveries of ...
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that pairing Gleevec with high-dose chemotherapy produces a synergistic effect in patients with Philadelphia-positive ALL, resulting in complete remissions that have lasted up to 29 months. The two-year disease-free survival rate is 85 percent, offering a promisi...
Researchers discovered a significant improvement in overall survival for people with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) after using the antibody rituximab plus fludarabine, increasing progression-free survival by 22% and overall survival by 12%.
Human bone marrow-derived single stem cell lines can proliferate and differentiate into islet-like cells capable of glucose-related insulin production. Researchers implanted these cells into mice with type 1 diabetes, observing an apparent reduction in glucose levels after two weeks.
A novel gene therapy delivery system using stem cells has been developed to target and attack tumors, regardless of their location in the body. The system, which uses human mesenchymal progenitor cells, has shown promising results in tests with mice with various types of cancer, including ovarian, brain, breast, melanoma, and leukemia.
A new study using nucleic acid amplification technology (NAT) screening detected a significant rate of West Nile Virus viremic donations, preventing recipient infections. Another study investigated the role of monocytes in transfusion-transmitted cytomegalovirus infections, shedding light on the underlying processes involved.
A study on therapeutic cloning of hematopoietic stem cells showed promising results in generating compatible cells for long-term engraftment. Another study on transferring donor immunity across HLA barriers identified a safe and effective way to re-build immunity after bone marrow transplantation.
A higher dose of Gleevec was found to lead to increased remission in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), with 28% of patients achieving complete molecular response after 18 months. The treatment showed improved results over time, with a significant reduction in disease progression.
Researchers have identified late-life anemia as a risk factor for mortality and hospitalization in elderly adults. A new drug, CC5013, shows unprecedented activity in treating myelodysplastic syndrome, offering hope to patients.
A phase II trial found that AMD-3100, a new drug, increases the availability of stem cells in cancer patients undergoing transplantation. This boosts the chances of successful transplantation and may reduce the number of collections needed.
The study found that adding rituximab to the CHOP regimen as a first-line treatment did not significantly impact overall response rates or early disease progression. Maintenance rituximab showed promise in prolonging time-to-treatment failure, but had no effect on overall survival.
A new direct thrombin inhibitor, ximelagatran, has shown promising results in preventing recurrent venous thromboembolism in patients with acute deep vein thrombosis. The study found that oral ximelagatran was as effective as enoxaparin/warfarin in preventing this condition, while also reducing major bleeding and mortality rates.
A clinical trial found that aspirin treatment significantly reduced the risk of thrombosis, cardiovascular death, and minor bleeding events in patients with polycythemia vera. The study suggests that aspirin can be a safe and effective treatment option for these patients.
Researchers identified three strongly predictive genes - OPAL1, GNB2L1, and IL-10 receptor alpha - that were associated with better outcomes in pediatric ALL patients. These genes may help improve risk classification and outcome prediction for acute leukemia in children.
Researchers analyzed data on 553 patients treated with imatinib, finding that complete cytogenetic response significantly impacted long-term outcome. Patients with low Philadelphia chromosome positivity had higher chances of achieving a complete response.
Researchers discovered a two-fold increased risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism with estrogen plus progestin use. Age and obesity were primary determinants of increased absolute risk, while genetic variants such as Factor V Leiden also contributed to thrombosis risk.
The American Society of Hematology presents the 2003 Public Service Award to Sen. Dianne Feinstein for her leadership on medical research and patient care issues. ASH also awards Dr. Claude Lenfant with its first-ever Lifetime Service Award for his decades-long dedication to hematology research and training.
Researchers analyzed DNA samples from 127 patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) to determine if a KIT tyrosine kinase mutation was present and its impact on Gleevec response. Patients with favorable lab results had an 84 percent chance of partial remission, while those with unfavorable results did not respond.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have identified a novel secretory protein specific to neuroblastoma, which could provide clues to differentiating between aggressive tumors and those that are more likely to respond to treatment. Additionally, scientists have discovered selective inhibitors of key protein kinases implicated in ...
Decitabine, an antimetabolite drug, has been found to improve fetal hemoglobin levels and reduce symptoms in patients with sickle cell disease who are resistant or intolerant of hydroxyurea. The study suggests that decitabine could be a viable alternative therapy for these patients.
Researchers at Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center found that a diet rich in whole tomatoes, but not supplements, was associated with longer survival rates and reduced risk of prostate cancer. The study also showed that energy restriction did not offer additional benefits over a balanced diet.
Researchers used DNA microarray technology to identify seven major subtypes of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia, including six known prognostic subtypes. This discovery enables more accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment plans based on a patient's unique expression profile.
A recent study found that most adult childhood cancer survivors (10.9%) reported fair or poor health, despite 43.6% reporting some impairment from treatment. Factors associated with health problems were the same as those in the general population, including being female and having limited education.
Patients who traveled at least 15 miles for care had a one-third lower risk of dying during the trial and follow-up period compared to those living closer. The study found that patients with higher incomes, more education, and a supportive social network tended to fare better in terms of survival rates.
A recent study identified 35 genes that may be linked to prognosis in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML), providing new insights into the disease. These unexpected genes were found independently of current classification methods and separated patients into high- and low-risk groups.