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New gene targets for treating adult blood cancer

Hokkaido University scientists have identified CDK6 as a promising target for treating adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) with the drug palbociclib. The combination of palbociclib with everolimus also showed significant tumor growth reduction and minimal side effects in mice models.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalBlood·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 31, 2022

CHOP-led study finds bortezomib improves survival in children with newly diagnosed T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma

A CHOP-led study found bortezomib significantly improved overall survival in children and young adults with newly diagnosed T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. The trial also showed that intensifying the chemotherapy regimen allowed for elimination of radiation in nearly all patients, resulting in excellent outcomes.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateMar 10, 2022

Protein activity reveals new childhood ALL combination treatment strategy

Scientists at the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology discovered a new combination treatment strategy for childhood T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) by analyzing protein activity. The study found that blocking specific proteins, such as LCK and SRC, in combination with an overactive chain reaction of INSR/IGF-1R, k...

SourcePrincess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2022

Scientists uncover a new approach for treating aggressive cancer

Researchers at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed a new therapeutic approach using a small-molecule inhibitor of the chromatin-modulatory enzyme EZH2 to target aggressive cancer cells. The treatment also targets cMyc, a prominent cancer-causing factor, and shows profound tumor killing effects.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalNature Cell Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2022

Research lays a foundation for prevention of the most common childhood cancer

Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Cancer Research Center in Spain have discovered a potential strategy to prevent B-ALL, the most common childhood cancer, using the drug ruxolitinib. By blocking IL-7 signaling, researchers were able to significantly reduce the risk of leukemia development in genetically predis...

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalCancer Research·DateFeb 7, 2022

Study of Penn patients with decade-long leukemia remissions after Car T cell therapy reveals new details about persistence of personalized “living drug” cells

Researchers discovered two patients with CAR T cell therapy achieved the longest-known remission to date, providing new details about treatment effects and outcomes. The study shows that the infused CAR T cells remained detectable for at least a decade, with sustained remission in both patients.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 2, 2022

Survival rate of adult patients with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia after hematopoietic cell transplantation has steadily increased over the past two decades

Survival rates for adult patients with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) after hematopoietic cell transplantation have increased significantly over the past two decades. The two-year overall survival rate rose from 27.8% in 2000-2004 to 54.8% in 2015-2019, despite a significant increase in patient age at relapse.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateJan 12, 2022

New treatment combination without chemotherapy is effective in PH+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia

A new treatment combination of dasatinib, blinatumomab, and prednisone has shown promise in treating older patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The trial achieved a three-year DFS rate of 80 percent and an overall survival rate of 85 percent for enrolled patients.

SourceSWOG Cancer Research Network·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 13, 2021

New study in JNCCN finds disturbing lack of key leukemia medication

A recent study published in JNCCN found that only 31% of hospitals have immediate availability of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), a crucial blood cancer medication. This medication is essential for treating acute promyelocytic leukemia, which has a better prognosis when treated appropriately. The lack of ATRA availability poses a signi...

SourceNational Comprehensive Cancer Network·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·TypeSurvey·DateNov 16, 2021

How alike are the cancer cells from a single patient?

A new study by USC researchers uses a genetic technology to analyze gene expression signatures of individual cancer cells from patients with leukemia. The findings show that cancer cells with distinct gene expression profiles tend to grow in different organs, while those with specific genes are more resistant to chemotherapy.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 11, 2021

First worldwide personalized-medicine study using a functional test demonstrates clinical feasibility and efficacy of individualized therapy in leukemia and lymphoma patients

Researchers conducted a functional test to identify effective therapies for advanced hematological cancers, achieving significant positive outcomes with 56 patients receiving individually tailored treatment. The study demonstrates the clinical feasibility and efficacy of personalized medicine in breaking resistance to prior therapies.

SourceCeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences·JournalCancer Discovery·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 12, 2021

USC study identifies new risk factor for most common childhood cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

Children genetically predisposed to overproduce lymphocytes in relation to other white blood cells are at higher risk of developing ALL, according to a new USC study. The research found that the ratio of lymphocytes to other key blood cells is significant in predicting leukemia risk.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·TypeObservational study·DateSep 8, 2021

Teaching an old dog new tricks: An existing drug opens new possibilities for treating child leukemia

A study from Linköping University found that the tumour-inhibiting gene TET2 is silenced in most cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children. The gene can be reactivated by treatment with an existing drug, 5-azacytidine, suggesting a targeted therapy for ALL in children.

SourceLinköping University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2021

Cancer increases future risk of kidney failure

A Korean population-based cohort study found that cancer, particularly multiple myeloma and leukemia, is associated with an increased risk of kidney failure. The study included approximately 825,000 patients with cancer compared to twice as many without cancer, matched on other characteristics.

SourceNational Kidney Foundation·JournalAmerican Journal of Kidney Diseases·DateAug 17, 2021

Existing drug may help improve responses to cellular therapies in advanced leukemias

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have identified a new mechanism of resistance in advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients to CAR T cell therapy. They found that inhibiting the BET protein with the small molecule inhibitor JQ1 can reinvigorate exhausted T cells and increase their production.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 16, 2021

Fels and Fox Chase researchers highlight roles of TET2 and DNMT3A mutations in personalized medicine-guided synthetic lethality against leukemia

Fels and Fox Chase researchers found specific TET2 and DNMT3A mutations in leukemia patients that affect DNA repair pathways. These mutations make leukemia cells sensitive to PARP inhibitors, a type of targeted therapy, while others are resistant. The study aims to develop personalized therapies for patients with these mutations.

SourceTemple University Health System·JournalCancer Research·DateAug 13, 2021

International collaboration helps refine treatment for childhood leukemia

A large phase 3 noninferiority clinical trial showed that omitting pulse therapy in patients with low-risk disease improves quality of life without affecting survival. This finding is significant as it reduces neuropsychological side effects and late effects associated with long-term treatment.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 27, 2021

Novel risk score for predicting blood cancer relapse

Researchers in China have created a novel risk score to predict relapse of leukemia, allowing for better medical intervention and stratification of patients with different risks. The study analyzed factors such as engraftment of white blood cells, residual cancer cells, and chronic graft-versus-host disease to determine outcomes like 5...

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·DateJun 24, 2021

An antibody-drug combo to combat cancer

Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University developed an antibody-drug conjugate that selectively targets human monocyte progenitors to combat chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). This strategy effectively blocks malignant cell proliferation with minimal collateral damage to other cell lineages.

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·DateApr 16, 2021

Researchers discover mechanism to overcome drug-resistance in leukemia

A novel metabolic gatekeeper mechanism for leukemia has been discovered by Yale researchers, highlighting the importance of glucose and energy supply in leukemic transformation. High expression levels of PON2 enable glucose uptake activity in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells, leading to a more aggressive course of disease.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 1, 2021