Articles tagged with Leukemia
Researchers have identified a gene variant associated with an increased risk of leukemia relapse in young patients treated with E. coli asparaginase, a common chemotherapy drug. This discovery may lead to personalized treatment approaches based on genetic profiles.
Scientists at Ohio State University have created a technique called nanochannel electroporation (NEP) that allows for precise injection of genes and proteins into individual cells. The method uses electrical pulses to deliver therapeutic agents, with potential applications in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
A new drug combination of fludarabine and alemtuzumab significantly increases progression-free survival and prolongs the lives of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The treatment spares patients from toxicities and offers a more convenient dosing schedule.
A newly identified DNA repair defect may leave some young leukemia patients less likely to benefit from chemotherapy, increasing the risk of relapse. The study found low levels of a key protein and missing regulatory genes in leukemia cells, suggesting a potential new marker for high-risk patients.
Researchers have found that Fasudil, a vasodilator used to treat cardiovascular problems, can slow the growth of leukemia cells by blocking the activity of Rho kinase. The study showed promising results in laboratory tests and extended survival in mice with leukemia.
A group of mutations in the interleukin-7 receptor gene have been identified in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation. Researchers found that certain pharmaceutical drugs already in clinical use can eliminate these cells, providing a potential therapeutic approach against leukemia.
Scientists found that high levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) expression are required for leukemia-initiating cell activity in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Blocking IGF1R using inhibitors or reducing its expression significantly impaired leukemia stem cells' self-renewal capacity.
Research suggests that blood stem cells may play a role in the development of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a cancer of mature white blood cells. CLL often begins with an asymptomatic proliferation of B cells called monoclonal B lymphocytosis (MBL). The study found that hematopoietic stem cells, which can give rise to any type of...
A UT Southwestern men's support group has published a book to reach out to husbands and partners of women with cancer. The book shares stories of five men who know firsthand what it's like to love and care for a cancer patient, offering emotional support and practical advice.
Researchers at the University of Western Ontario identified two key genes, PU.1 and Spi-B, that appear essential in preventing B cell ALL, the most common form of ALL in children. The study found these genes function as unanticipated 'tumor suppressor' genes that prevent leukemia.
Researchers have discovered new gene mutations in CLL patients, linking NOTCH1 pathway to poorer prognosis and shorter survival. The findings suggest the potential for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in human CLL.
The National Institutes of Health has signed a research and development agreement with two non-profit organizations to develop potential clinical therapies for rare blood cancers. The collaboration aims to bridge the gap between basic research and human testing, with the goal of accelerating the delivery of improved therapies to patients.
A study published in Nature shows that a combination therapy of RI-BPI and Gleevec eradicates cancer in cell and animal studies, targeting the Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This breakthrough offers new hope for improved survival rates for children with this aggressive cancer.
A phase II study by the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that an antibody-guided chemotherapy drug eradicated or greatly reduced ALL cells in 61% of patients with resistant or recurrent disease. This makes it a potential most active single-agent therapy for ALL.
Ray Johnston, a former NBA player, has survived acute promyelocytic leukemia thanks to experimental drug tamibarotene, which induced cancer cells to differentiate into mature cells. The rare form of leukemia is typically curable with current therapies but becomes more resistant and harder to treat upon relapse.
Researchers at UCSF have identified BCL6, a protein that leukemia cells use to survive treatment, as the basis for drug resistance. Targeting this protein may lead to more powerful cancer drugs and improved cure rates for children with leukemia.
Researchers identified previously undiscovered high-risk genetic features in T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (T-ALL) using zebrafish models. These genetic characteristics can predict which patients are more likely to experience aggressive forms of the disease that recur after treatment or do not respond to therapy.
Cancer cells that reign during leukemia relapses have distinct DNA profiles compared to those at diagnosis. These mutated cells exhibit aggressive behavior in mice, suggesting a possible link between human and mouse models.
Researchers identified a potential new treatment for juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, a rare form of childhood leukemia. The experimental drug, known as a MEK inhibitor, alleviated symptoms and delayed disease progression in mouse models.
Patients with CML taking imatinib in remission after two years have a mortality rate similar to the general population. Despite side effects, survival rates remain high even after eight years of treatment.
St. Jude researchers found that 18.3% of relapsed childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients had alterations in the CREBBP gene, compared to just 1% in non-relapsed patients. The study suggests that CREBBP mutations may be a potential indicator of relapse risk.
Researchers identified a small subset of NKT cells in normal white blood cells that give rise to rare large granular lymphocyte leukemia. Targeting interleukin-15 signaling and NKp46 may offer a new way to prevent this leukemia.
Researchers have created a bioengineered protein called CD19-L that selectively targets and destroys leukemia cells, including those resistant to chemotherapy. This breakthrough discovery offers new hope for treating childhood leukemia.
A study published in JAMA reveals that chromosome changes disrupt a molecular network influencing CLL outcome, providing new targets for treatment. Patients with 13q deletion generally have better prognosis than those with 11q or 17p deletions.
Researchers found that leukemia cells composed of multiple families of genetically distinct cells exist, leading to a re-evaluation of cancer progression and treatment strategies. The study's findings have positive implications for tailoring therapies to individual patients.
A Ph.D. student at Université du Québec à Montréal has identified a gene that may facilitate the diagnosis of B-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia, mostly affecting children. The Fmn2 gene shows abnormal activity in both mouse and human cells with this disease.
Researchers found that CLL patients with insufficient vitamin D levels progressed faster, were twice as likely to die, and had shorter survival times. Vitamin D supplements may offer a way to slow leukemia progression.
Researchers at IRCM identified a mechanism regulating activation-induced deaminase, which could lead to new therapies for some types of lymphoma and leukemia. The discovery found that Hsp90 inhibition destabilizes AID, preventing uncontrolled gene mutation and accelerating disease progression.
Researchers found that BAFF interacts with c-MYC gene, promoting aggressive leukemias and lymphomas. High levels of BAFF in CLL microenvironment may lead to improved treatment options by blocking its effects or inhibiting signaling pathways.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles have discovered a way to overcome radiation resistance in leukemia cells by targeting the SYK tyrosine kinase molecular target. This breakthrough could improve treatment outcomes for children with relapsed leukemia, who currently face poor survival rates.
Researchers at IRCM discover a protein called Gfi1b that regulates blood stem cell activity and mobilization, potentially accelerating the production of new blood cells. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and safer stem cell therapy for leukemia patients.
Researchers find a crucial protein involved in immune response also plays a role in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) progression. Suppressing the protein's activity eliminates leukemic cells, paving the way for potential new treatments.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles found that obesity increases the risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in both mouse models and older animals, suggesting an association between excess weight and cancer progression.
A UCSF-led team discovered a key reason why blood stem cells are prone to developing genetic mutations that can lead to adult leukemia. They found that quiescent blood stem cells use an error-prone DNA repair mechanism, which can result in chromosomal instability and contribute to hematopoietic abnormalities.
A recent study published in Blood journal of American Society of Hematology found that cancer cells can contaminate ovarian tissue in women with leukemia, making fertility preservation methods unsafe. The study suggests that cancer cells from acute and chronic leukemias can be present in frozen-thawed ovarian tissue.
Professor Varda Shoshan-Barmatz has developed a peptide that targets and kills cancer cells while sparing normal cells. The grant will be used to develop therapeutic peptides for B-CLL, one of the most common and incurable hematological malignancies.
The study found that Musashi levels increased dramatically as the disease became more aggressive, suggesting it may be a target for future therapies. The researchers also discovered that blocking Musashi could inhibit blast-crisis CML by forcing immature cells to mature and differentiate.
A multicentric clinical phase II study led by Professor Dr. Peter Dreger found that allogeneic stem cell transplantation significantly improved tolerance and cured nearly half of patients with therapy-resistant chronic leukemia, regardless of genetic risk profile or prior treatment outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Montreal have identified the mechanism behind three cancer-causing genes in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The study provides insight into the complex interaction between these genes and their contributions to leukemia, which could lead to the development of less invasive cancer therapies.
A phase II clinical trial by Mayo Clinic found that green tea extract, specifically epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), had a significant response rate among CLL patients. The study showed that 69% of patients experienced a biological response to EGCG, with notable reductions in blood lymphocyte count and lymph node size.
Researchers from the University of Navarra have identified a link between specific gene mutations and more severe forms of leukemia. The study analyzed patients from 19 hospitals across Europe, confirming that these genetic alterations can be used to monitor disease progression and identify potential therapeutic targets.
T-ALL is caused by interplay of various factors including genetic errors that disrupt white blood cell formation. The study identifies PTPN2 as a tumor suppressor gene lost in leukemia patients, contributing to cancerous cell proliferation.
Researchers discover a combination of drugs that effectively target stubborn leukemia stem cells, which often escape standard treatment and lead to disease relapse. The study supports clinical trials of HDACi in combination with tyrosine kinase inhibitors to eliminate leukemia stem cells in patients with CML.
A consistent pattern in five genes has been found to predict the likelihood of relapse in pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), allowing for more aggressive treatment to be administered from diagnosis. This discovery has significant potential to improve outcomes for patients at high risk of relapse.
Researchers identified a new drug target to inhibit genes vital for leukaemia cell growth, which could prevent disease progression. Targeting Stat5 may provide a novel therapeutic approach for treating acute and chronic leukaemias.
A gene regulator, miR-125b-2, has been identified as a key player in the development of leukemia typical of Down syndrome. The over-expression of this microRNA is found to be necessary for the disease's progression. Further studies suggest that miR-125b-2 silences tumor-suppression genes and regulatory microRNAs, spurting the leukemia.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found that mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) cancer cells rely on a normal version of an associated protein to stay alive. Deleting this gene from leukemia cells blocks uncontrolled growth triggered by a fusion protein, suggesting that it is essential for MLL proliferation.
A recent study reveals a significant increase in childhood leukemia cases in Basrah, southern Iraq, with rates doubling over 15 years compared to neighboring countries like Kuwait and the European Union. The authors hope their findings will pave the way for an investigation into potential causes of this alarming trend.
A team of researchers has identified a potential mechanism by which the tobacco-specific carcinogen NNK promotes lung tumor formation. They also found that statins may protect against invasive pneumococcal infections in children with sickle cell disease. Additionally, a new oncogenic protein called Nlp was discovered to be expressed at...
Researchers discovered a protein called MLL that bookmarks highly active genes in cells, enabling rapid gene reactivation after cell division. This finding may help understand how mutated MLL contributes to abnormal cell proliferation and differentiation in leukemia.
Researchers have identified a protein that can be disabled to prevent cancer cells from forming in children with mixed-lineage leukemia. The discovery could lead to the development of more effective treatments for this devastating disease.
Researchers identified partner genes that fuse with MLL, driving fatal leukemia in infants. Accurate predictions and treatments are expected based on this knowledge.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered that soy peptide lunasin may help fight leukemia by activating a protein called caspase-3. Lunasin also showed anti-inflammatory properties by blocking the activation of NF-kappa-B and reducing interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 levels.
Researchers developed new tools to predict disease progression in acute childhood leukemia by analyzing DNA methylation patterns. The study found that specific genes' methylation levels correlate with treatment response, enabling identification of patients at risk of relapse.
Researchers have discovered a new chromosomal abnormality in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that is particularly common in children with Down syndrome. The finding has led to the development of new diagnostic tests and potential treatments, including an experimental medication targeting one of the altered genes.
A new technology using Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) enhances the ability to detect leukemia cells in bone marrow, increasing sensitivity by at least 10-fold. This improves minimal residual disease measurements and will determine more precisely the effect of chemotherapy.
Recent findings published online first in Cancer Research show that obesity is associated with increased incidence and mortality of leukemia in children. The study reveals that fat cells can block chemotherapy drugs from reaching cancerous cells, leading to reduced treatment effectiveness.
A Syracuse University research team discovered a second molecular switch within the Mixed Lineage Leukemia protein complex, which could be exploited to prevent abnormal cell production. The W-RAD switching mechanism signals cells to create multiple copies of cancer cells.
A new analysis reveals that adolescents and young adults with blood-related cancers have better long-term survival rates than those diagnosed in the 1980s. However, survival rates in this age group are still lower than those seen in younger children and some older adults.
A new study suggests that changes in gene expression called epigenetic alterations can serve as markers for detecting CLL early and monitoring its progression. Researchers also point to a strategy for treating the disease earlier using drugs that reverse such changes.