Articles tagged with Leukemia
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.
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.
Researchers discovered a mutation in the MPL gene that activates the JAK-STAT pathway, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and leukemia. The new finding offers potential targets for drugs targeting the JAK-STAT pathway, which may be effective against leukemias caused by either the MPL or JAK2 mutations.
A phase I clinical trial reveals nilotinib has a relatively favorable safety profile and demonstrates activity against drug-resistant CML, with notable improvements in chronic phase CML patients. However, the agent shows less activity in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients and may require careful monitoring for cardiac events.
Researchers have developed a new treatment option that breaks Leukemia's resistance to chemotherapy and radiation therapy by targeting specific cells with alpha particles. This approach increases the dose to leukemia cells, causing cell kill while sparing non-target tissues from detrimental radiation effects.
A five-year update from the IRIS Study Group shows excellent results for people with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) treated with Gleevec, a targeted cancer therapy. Overall survival rates reach 89% at five years, with fewer than 1% of patients progressing to accelerated or blast crisis phases.
VIB researchers have found a new treatment option for chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL), a rare and aggressive type of leukemia. The breakthrough is due to the discovery that Sorafenib, an existing kidney tumor treatment, works effectively against CEL.
Research suggests that a genetic mutation in the Arf gene can cause leukemias to resist Gleevec treatment, leading to aggressive disease progression. This finding may lead to new treatments that re-sensitize tumor cells to Gleevec therapies.
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.
A study by Ohio State University researchers discovered a set of 17 miRNAs turned off during normal megakaryocyte differentiation, creating a molecular signature for healthy platelets. In contrast, 10 miRNAs were found to be turned on in acute megakaryoblastic leukemia cells, suggesting a potential target for new therapies.
A new study suggests that high dietary folate intake may be associated with a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer. The research followed over 81,000 men and women for an average of 6.8 years and observed 135 cases of pancreatic cancer during this time. Men and women with higher folate intakes had lower incidence rates of the disease comp...
Researchers found encouraging preliminary findings in four patients with CLL who improved after taking EGCG, an extract of green tea. However, more studies are needed to determine the optimal dose and side effects before recommending widespread use.
Researchers found elevated tungsten and cobalt levels in Fallon's air, differing from nearby towns. The findings suggest a possible environmental cause for childhood leukemia cases in the area, prompting further research to examine the relationship between these metals and cancer development.
UC Davis researchers found that therapy-induced leukemia develops from the rearrangement of the MLL gene and factors that activate programmed cell death. The process may be preventable by completing apoptosis in cancer cells, offering a potential treatment avenue.
Researchers have discovered a key process underlying CML progression and identified an agent that can block it. Forskolin restores normal cell functioning in Gleevec-resistant cells, offering new treatment options for patients with advanced or resistant disease.
The study found that phosphatase 2A activation modulates key cell survival molecules and induces growth suppression, cell differentiation, and apoptosis in BCR/ABL cell lines. Restoration of PP2A activity in CML-BC patient cells counteracted leukemia development.
Researchers at VCU Massey Cancer Center discovered a new agent, Bay 43-9006, that targets the Mcl-1 protein to inhibit leukemia cell survival. The study found that Bay 43-9006 reduces Mcl-1 levels through an unusual mechanism, inhibiting protein synthesis.
Researchers found menin promotes acute leukemia by working with mutated MLL proteins, leading to the formation of cancer cells. Removing menin stops cell proliferation and allows cells to mature into healthy blood cells.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed a new monoclonal antibody targeting immune system B cells that shows promise in treating leukemias, autoimmune diseases, and transplant rejection. The treatment effectively depletes malignant B cell tumors and reduces circulating antibody levels.
Researchers at Stanford University have found a connection between aging, infection, and leukemia in blood-forming stem cells. These cells were found to produce fewer immune cells and turn on cancer-causing genes, contributing to the development of certain types of leukemia.
A new study reveals that transplantation of healthy germ cells can restore fertility in males who have undergone chemotherapy for childhood leukemia. Additionally, researchers identified a potential biomarker, claudin-1, which may be exploited to detect colon cancer progression and inform therapeutic strategies.
Researchers describe a method to distinguish and separate healthy sperm stem cells from leukemic cells in mice. The transplanted cells successfully colonized and produced healthy offspring, paving the way for the treatment of infertility caused by chemotherapy in childhood leukemia patients.
A randomized trial found that the ALL-2 regimen of cytarabine with high-dose mitoxantrone improved complete remission rates and survival outcomes for patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia. The regimen demonstrated a significant survival advantage, particularly in patients with the Philadelphia chromosome genetic predisposition.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered a novel anti-leukemia drug, PD166326, that is nearly 100 times more potent than the current treatment, Gleevec. The study shows the new drug effectively inhibits mutated enzyme activity and reduces white blood cell count in mice with leukemia.
Researchers identified a common genetic mutation, JAK2, in patients with polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and myeloid metaplasia with myelofibrosis. The study used high-throughput DNA sequencing analysis to compare blood and mouth-swab samples from 164 PV patients, 115 ET patients, and 46 MMM patients.
Recent research in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) identifies genetic and protein markers that can predict patient outcomes. These new markers may enable earlier treatment, improving survival rates and altering the disease's progression.
Researchers found that mice with leukemia develop a similar DNA methylation pattern as humans, identifying a new gene linked to cancer. The study uses genome-wide sequencing to map tiny bits of DNA and reveals a potential target for intervention.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have developed a new compound, AMN107, which targets Bcr-Abl kinase protein responsible for CML growth. In laboratory cell cultures and mice with the disease, AMN107 demonstrated effectiveness in killing CML cells and inducing longer remissions compared to Gleevec.
A mouse model of leukemia reveals a causal link between Shp2 mutations and leukemia, pointing to these mutants as attractive therapeutic targets. The study's findings suggest that current treatments are often ineffective and highlight the need for clinical trials of Ras/Mek inhibitors.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have developed a new hybrid targeted therapy, AMN107, which kills CML cells more effectively than Gleevec and triggers longer remissions in mice. The study's findings suggest that AMN107 may be an effective treatment option for patients with Gleevec-resistant disease.
Researchers found that CLL cells divide at a fast rate and their production is variable, leading to fluctuations in disease activity. This dynamic interplay between cell division and death rates challenges the long-held view of CLL as an accumulative disorder.
Researchers using 'heavy water' tracked leukemia cell birth and death rates, revealing dynamic process with mortal cells that proliferate and die. The study found faster birth rates of leukemia cells correlate with poorer patient outcomes, paving the way for potential new methods of prediction and treatment guidance.
Researchers have discovered a new leukemia drug that can overcome all forms of Gleevec resistance, a significant breakthrough for patients with advanced CML. The drug, ON012380, blocks a different site in the BCR-ABL protein and induces cell death in all known Gleevec-resistant mutants.
A new technique allows for successful cord blood transplants in high-risk acute and chronic leukemia patients, with disease-free survival rates of 57% at one year. The study's findings offer hope to thousands more patients who were previously ineligible due to lack of suitable donor units.
Researchers found that leukemia cells overexpress Lyn enzyme, allowing them to evade apoptosis. Inhibiting Lyn activity restored normal cell death processes and decreased malignant cell growth.
A combination of two biologic agents, alemtuzumab and rituximab, with chemotherapy has shown a promising response rate of 55% in CLL relapse patients. Complete remission was achieved by 23% of patients, while leukemia levels were reduced by at least half in 35% of cases.
A study found that cord blood stem cells can be used in transplants for leukemia patients without a matched relative or donor, resulting in high survival rates. The availability of umbilical cord blood provides a logical choice for doctors and patients when a matching bone marrow donor cannot be found.
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.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have received a $5 million grant to develop new drugs targeting leukemia. The project aims to selectively inhibit altered proteins in leukemia patients, leading to improved treatment outcomes.
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism for the formation of active cancer genes in T-cell acute lymphatic leukemia (T-ALL), leading to an uncontrolled growth of immature white blood cells. The study suggests using Glivec, a kinase inhibitor that targets ABL1, as a potential treatment for T-ALL patients.
Researchers found that a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, and protein sources like beef and beans can lower the risk of childhood leukemia. Glutathione, an antioxidant found in these foods, plays a key role in reducing cancer risk.
Researchers found that Smad3 protein was present in B-cell and non-lymphocyte samples but almost absent in T-cell samples. In mice, deletion of the Smad3 gene impairs TGF-B's ability to stop T-cell proliferation. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms behind Smad3's absence in childhood T-cell leukemia.
Researchers identify TAL1/SCL as a key player in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), a cancer that affects 10%-15% of pediatric and 25% of adult patients. Disrupting TAL1/SCL's interaction with E47/HEB may offer new therapeutic avenues for these patients, who respond poorly to current chemotherapies.
A new biologic drug, Lipo-ATRA, offers long-term disease-free survival to patients with rare acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) without traditional chemotherapy. In a small trial, approximately one-third of patients remained in remission for over five years after treatment.
Recovery after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) occurs gradually over 1 to 5 years, with physical function improving earlier than psychological and work recovery. After HCT, most patients recover from treatment-related distress but may experience depression and delayed return to full-time work.
A study by Dr. Karen L. Syrjala found that physical recovery occurs earlier than psychological or work recovery after HCT for leukemia or lymphoma treatment. Recovery can take up to 5 years, with 84% of survivors returning to full-time work. Factors such as depression and social support before HCT can impact recovery.
Researchers at Boston College are studying the molecular mechanisms of B-1a cells, which can lead to autoimmune diseases and leukemias like chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The new NIH-funded program project aims to understand how these cells proliferate and enter the cell cycle.
A retrospective study of 249 children with ALL found that most chromosome abnormalities had little impact on prognosis, except for those involving the loss of chromosomes 7 and 9. In these cases, only 15% remained disease-free five years after treatment.
Researchers found a novel genetic insertion associated with increased MCL-1 gene expression, leading to reduced response to chemotherapy and poorer outcomes. This discovery provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) progression.
Scientists at Georgia Tech are testing compounds that may inhibit the enzyme essential for the HTLV-I virus's reproduction, with potential as treatments for the fatal adult T-cell leukemia. The research aims to develop better inhibitors of the protease enzyme, which could lead to a new pharmaceutical agent in about five years.
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.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have discovered that green tea's epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) component can help kill leukemia cells by disrupting their ability to survive. The study found that EGCG interrupted survival signals, prompting leukemia cells to die in eight of ten patient samples tested.
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 discovered that BCR/ABL oncogene blocks normal DNA repair mechanism, leading to genetic mutations and blast crisis. This breakthrough may lead to long-term treatment for chronic myelogenous leukemia, a fatal blood cancer affecting people over 40.
Researchers used gene expression analysis to measure the activity of thousands of genes in adult T cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (T-ALL) patients. They identified a single gene, IL-8, that was highly expressed in resistant patients and found a group of 30 genes associated with complete remissions.
The Mixed-Lineage Leukemia (MLL) gene plays a crucial role in blood cell development, with its absence resulting in the failure to produce normal blood cells. MLL regulates critical genes necessary for hematopoiesis, a complex process of blood cell formation.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have discovered that the MLL gene is necessary for the development of master stem cells that generate all mature blood cells. The study suggests that MLL is part of a select set of genes required for all definitive blood lineages in the embryo.
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 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%.
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.