Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered that cancer cells can increase GAPDH production to counteract the backup self-destruct program CICD, allowing them to survive and thrive. The finding suggests that blocking this enzyme could kill abnormal cells, providing a basis for novel anti-cancer drugs.
The Brca2 gene plays a dual role in the developing nervous system, eliminating errors in the DNA of newly made copies of chromosomes and suppressing the onset of medulloblastoma. By repairing broken DNA, the Brca2 gene ensures normal size and function of rapidly dividing cells, preventing brain cancer.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found inherited genes associated with chemotherapy drug toxicity in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The study identified specific polymorphisms linked to toxic side effects during treatment, which could enable individualized therapy and reduce toxicity.
St. Jude researchers used a new technique to monitor the movement of DNA repair proteins as they interacted with each other and gathered at the site of damage. The study found that disruption of these proteins can cause mutations, cell death, or cancer, providing critical insights into DNA repair mechanisms.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that intramuscular injections of peramivir for 8 days protected mice from lethal H5N1 influenza virus infection and inhibited virus replication. This study supports the use of peramivir to control influenza during a pandemic.
A new method predicts hip joint decay in pediatric leukemia and lymphoma survivors, with over 30% of bone deterioration linked to high risk of collapse requiring surgical repair. Researchers found that genetic or other tests may be developed to help identify at-risk patients, improving quality of life.
The St. Jude study found that cells shift their biochemical activities to conserve energy by increasing glucose production and recycling CoA, a key player in metabolism. The researchers also showed that PanK controls the concentration of CoA in specific locations within the cell.
A new nasal spray treatment using a virus enzyme shows promise in preventing acute otitis media and secondary pneumonia in mice infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae. The treatment uses lysine to eliminate bacteria from the ear, reducing the risk of middle ear infection.
Research at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital shows that leukemic cells receive a protective niche from bone marrow mesenchymal cells, which release the amino acid asparagine to help them survive treatment with asparaginase. This finding suggests new strategies for enhancing anti-leukemic drugs and reducing leukemia recurrence rates.
A study by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that adults who survived childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are at a higher risk of developing secondary neoplasms during adulthood. Most of these late-onset tumors are low-grade and curable, but some can cause significant health issues.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered previously unsuspected mutations in genes that control B-cell differentiation, contributing to pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The study suggests novel methods for treating pediatric ALL and provides a roadmap for identifying unsuspected mutations in adult cancers.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered the role of PanK2 enzyme in detecting fatty acid buildup in mitochondria, a crucial step in cellular energy production. This finding has significant implications for understanding and treating neurodegenerative diseases caused by mutations in the PANK2 gene.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that the N1 protein in seasonal flu vaccines can trigger an antibody response to avian flu virus, offering cross-protection to some individuals. The study suggests that annual influenza vaccines may be beneficial to populations in areas where H5N1 poses a threat to humans.
GST pi is a critical enzyme that stands at the crossroads of several biochemical pathways leading to Parkinson's disease. It prevents both externally provoked cell death and internally initiated suicide by blocking the formation of free radicals, which cause cell damage.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered that the disorderly protein p27 participates in its own destruction by dislodging a phosphate tag from CDK2, allowing it to trigger cell division. Abnormal kinases can prematurely release p27, leading to cancer.
A new paradigm in immune regulation has been discovered, where LAG-3 protein acts as an immunological molecular brake controlled by the strength of the T cell receptor signal. The study shows that cleavage of LAG-3 proteins on activated T lymphocytes allows them to greatly increase their proliferation rate during an immune response.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered that a simple chemical link called a thioester bond acts like a switch to control the handoff of a protein called NEDD8 between enzymes E1 and E2. This switch triggers a biochemical cascade that keeps cells alive and functioning normally, including regulating cell division.
A study by St. Jude researchers found that brain tumors arise from cancer stem cells living in microscopic protective niches formed by blood vessels, disrupting these niches may block tumor growth. The team showed that targeting blood vessel cells could eliminate CSCs and prevent tumor reappearance following treatment.
The new REC allows St. Jude to collaborate with Hospital Nacional de Niños Benjamin Bloom on clinical trials and train Salvadoran nurses, leading to improved treatments for pediatric catastrophic diseases. The success of the model has encouraged other institutions in El Salvador to form RECs.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and City of Hope National Medical Center developed genetically modified stem cells that seek out and destroy even tiny tumors in the nervous system, using a chemotherapy drug that selectively targets cancer cells.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that harvesting aggressive stem cells from donated bone marrow can reduce the time it takes for a child's immune system to rebuild after a bone marrow transplant. This could lead to lower risk of fatal virus infections and improved long-term outcomes.
A specific gene mutation disables the ABCG2 protein, preventing it from disposing of certain cancer drugs, leading to high levels of the drug in cells and blood, causing side effects. Clinicians can identify patients at risk by looking for this mutation, offering a way to modify treatment and reduce side effects.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital use MRI to track muscle damage from radiation therapy in children with soft tissue cancer. The study reveals that changes in muscle images can predict the amount of long-term damage that radiation may cause, enabling clinicians to design better treatment plans.
Researchers have developed a localized treatment that shrinks retinoblastoma tumors while avoiding chemotherapy side effects. The new treatment shows promise against certain breast, lung, prostate and colon cancers, offering a simpler and more effective alternative to current therapies.
A new H5N1 variant, Fujian-like (FL), has emerged in China and spread to other countries, causing increased poultry infections and recent human cases. The study suggests that the vaccination program may have facilitated FL's emergence, highlighting inadequate control measures.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified the Six3 gene as a critical regulator of lens development in mammalian embryos. The study shows that Six3 activation of the Pax6 gene is essential for the formation of the lens, and its absence leads to lens formation failure.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that pieces of cell walls from Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria hijack a protein on blood vessel lining and enter the brain and heart. Antibiotic therapy contributes to this damage by shedding more cell wall pieces.
The St. Jude technique enables blood stem cells from parents or unmatched adult siblings, reducing the need for harsh treatments and boosting the chance of cure. The modified transplantation method accelerates immune system recovery and reduces the risk of infections.
St. Jude researchers discover that the Six2 gene prevents kidney stem cells from differentiating, maintaining a source of undifferentiated stem cells needed for kidney growth. The absence of Six2 leads to smaller, non-functional kidneys in developing mice.
A new technique for collecting and identifying intrinsically unstructured proteins (IUPs) has been developed at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The study confirmed that most IUPs perform vital roles in daily cell activities, while also being linked to diseases like cancer.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have discovered that the protein ABCB6 is crucial for producing heme, a molecule essential for red blood cells to carry oxygen. The team found that ABCB6 helps regulate the production of heme by ferrying in porphyrins, which are then converted into heme inside the mitochondria.
A new treatment combining high-dose radiotherapy after surgery and short-term intense chemotherapy improves the overall five-year survival rate of children with medulloblastoma to 85% for average-risk patients. High-risk patients see a significant increase in survival rates, from 55% to 70%, while reducing side effects.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has developed a new statistical technique that enables researchers to statistically analyze results of clinical trials without traditional control groups. This novel approach allows for the early adoption of new treatments and validates the use of interim analyses in clinical trials.
St. Jude researchers have solved a 25-year mystery by discovering the first biochemical step that many disease-causing bacteria use to build their membranes. The discovery holds promise for effective, new antibiotics against these bacteria, which would not cause dangerous side effects.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital used computer-generated images of enzyme pantothenate kinase to unlock mysteries of antibiotic resistance and rare brain degeneration. The study found that despite differences in enzyme structure, types II and III can perform the same job as type I, leading to antibiotic resistance.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital developed a mouse model that explains why gene therapy treatment caused leukemia in some severe immune deficiency patients with XSCID. The study found that the disease itself makes mice susceptible to cancer caused by gene therapy, offering hope for safe treatment.
Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have discovered that a key event during apoptosis occurs as a single, rapid event, rather than a step-by-step process. This finding sheds new light on how cells 'commit suicide' and highlights the importance of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization in regulating apoptosis.
A Phase III clinical trial at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital shows that erythropoietin (EPO) increases hemoglobin levels in anemic children with cancer, reducing the need for red blood cell transfusions and improving their quality of life.
Researchers found that a normal gene involved in mammary gland function helps trigger a lethal type of leukemia when mutated. The discovery suggests that drugs targeting this mutation may have fewer serious side effects in leukemia patients.
The study found that DNA repair pathways work at different times during cell development, with homologous recombination active in the first half and non-homologous end joining taking over later. This timing is crucial for the development of various types of cancers.
A new H5N1 vaccine has demonstrated cross-protection in ferrets against different variants of the virus, offering a promising solution for stockpiling in the event of a human outbreak. The vaccine was shown to completely protect ferrets from infection and reduce viral multiplication.
The St. Jude program in Brazil reduced abandonment rates from 16% to 0.6% and increased event-free survival from 32% to 63%, providing continuous care and psychosocial support to families. The program's success is a model for reducing disparities in cure rates between high- and low-income countries.
A new study by St. Jude investigators reveals the role of several key genes in retina development and suggests new studies for designing more effective drugs to treat retinoblastoma. The study found that humans are more susceptible to developing eye cancer due to a difference in gene expression between mice and humans.
The H5N1 virus poses a significant threat, prompting researchers to revisit studies of influenza A viruses. The immune system response to H5N1 can be catastrophic, with a 'cytokine storm' causing rapid death. Understanding the battle between the immune system and influenza A viruses holds promise for better therapies and vaccines.
A new study by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has shown a DNA-based vaccine to be highly effective in protecting mice against lethal challenges with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The vaccine targets two conserved viral proteins and one variable protein, providing complete protection in mice.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that a combination of the Bcr-Abl mutation and loss of both Arf genes in bone marrow cells triggers an aggressive form of ALL. Inactivating both Arf genes enables leukemic cells to multiply despite imatinib treatment, highlighting potential strategies for overcoming resistance.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital develop a strategy to identify 'light bulb genes' linked to medulloblastoma mutations, helping to predict which children will respond to new treatments. The approach could also be applied to other types of cancer.
The new test measures minimal residual disease and helps identify patients who can be cured with milder treatment. It has been implemented in Brazil to treat children with lower MRD levels, reducing the risk of fatal infections.
The BGEM Web site provides a growing collection of tens of thousands of images showing where and when specific genes are expressed during brain development. This information is linked to up-to-date data on genes, including their function, location, and DNA sequence.
The study provides fundamental insight into the evolution of influenza viruses in nature and could lead to effective strategies for controlling outbreaks of bird flu viruses in humans and birds. The results reveal new forms of bird flu genes, how these viruses evolve through time and the identification of genes that travel together.