Articles tagged with Leukemia
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered that combining tyrosine kinase inhibitors with an FAK inhibitor synergizes to decrease tumor growth in mouse models of BCR-ABL1+ B-progenitor ALL. This combination approach is a promising treatment strategy for this subset of ALL.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) researchers have improved their models of the disease by understanding how cancer cells differentiate into antibody-secreting plasma cells in mice. Patient-derived T cells play a crucial role in this process, and therapies promoting differentiation may offer new treatment options for CLL.
A study found that IGF2BP3 promotes B cell proliferation in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia by regulating oncogenes like MYC. The RNA binding protein is reactivated in some cancer cells, making it an attractive target for cancer-fighting drugs.
Researchers found that IGF2BP3 regulates various RNA messages contributing to the development of MLL-rearranged leukemia. The protein binds to and stabilizes hundreds of leukemia-promoting messages, leading to cancer cell growth.
Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital and University of Ottawa identified a compound called GSK-J4 that can kill a severe form of childhood leukemia. By targeting the TAL-1 gene, the compound stops cancer cell growth, showing promise for personalized treatment.
A particular enzyme called DLST in the TCA cycle supports the growth and survival of T-cell leukemia cells. Inhibiting this enzyme's activity can effectively kill these tumor cells.
Researchers have identified the EZH2 gene as a driver of aggressive pediatric leukemia subtype ETP-ALL, characterized by stem-like cells and increased growth signaling. The study provides potential therapeutic targets, including the existing drug ruxolitinib, for this previously challenging disease.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have discovered a unique mechanism underlying Ph-like ALL, a particularly aggressive form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The findings reveal that chromosomal rearrangements lead to the activation of a truncated EPOR gene, driving white blood cells to proliferate out of control.
A new study from Children's Hospital Los Angeles found that leukemia therapy leads to a significant drop in bone mineral density during the first month of treatment, affecting the lower spine and legs. This earlier onset than previously thought highlights the need for new approaches to mitigate bone toxicity in cancer patients.
A new study proposes that genetic drift contributes to the development of leukemia in young children. The researchers used a computational model describing blood stem cell population dynamics and found that drift plays a significant role in early-life leukemia formation. In contrast, selection drives leukemia development in older adults.
A study by UC San Diego researchers found that populations living at high latitudes with limited sunlight exposure are at a higher risk of developing leukemia due to low vitamin D levels. This epidemic of vitamin D deficiency in winter populations contributes significantly to the burden of leukemia worldwide.
Scientists at University of California, San Diego discover protein Wnt5a stimulates CLL cell growth via ROR1 and ROR2 proteins. Experimental monoclonal antibody cirmtuzumab inhibits growth and spread of cancer cells.
Researchers have developed a new diagnostic method for a deadly fungal lung infection in leukemia patients, offering improved early detection and treatment options. The breakthrough uses distinct test results to identify the infectious mold, potentially refining diagnostics and improving survival rates.
Patients who discontinued ibrutinib or idelalisib due to side effects experienced durable responses after switching to another kinase inhibitor, with a 50% objective response rate and 11.9-month median progression-free survival.
A study found that breast cancer survivors with therapy-related leukemia often have inherited cancer susceptibility and gene mutations. Researchers suggest a long-term follow-up study to understand the impact of these genes on leukemia risk, enabling personalized conversations about treatment benefits and risks.
A multi-center study found ibrutinib to be more effective than chlorambucil in treating CLL, with a 97.8% overall survival rate after two years compared to 85.3%. Ibrutinib also improves hemoglobin and platelet levels.
Researchers identified CD19 splicing alterations as a cause of resistance to CAR T-cell therapy in pediatric patients. The study found that alternative splicing led to the production of a modified version of the CD19 protein, which was functional but could not be recognized by the immune system.
Scientists engineered stem cells with PTPN11 mutations to recreate JMML, clarifying early events in its development and providing new targets for drug design. This 'leukemia in a dish' model can help improve treatment options for patients with this rare blood cancer.
A research group in Japan and Korea found that certain dipeptide species support CML stem cell activity. Pharmacological inhibition of nutrient uptake decreased CML stem cell activity in vivo, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for CML therapy. This discovery may provide concrete benefits to patients with CML.
A team of international scientists decoded the molecular characteristics of a fatal subtype of leukemia in children, paving the way for new therapeutic approaches. The study identified genetic aberrations and altered gene expression programs that lead to tumorigenesis, providing potential druggable targets.
Scientists have decoded the genome and transcriptome of an incurable subtype of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, revealing a novel program associated with leukemic cells. The study identifies key genes that trigger a reprogramming of the leukemia cells, leading to promising drug tests, including Venetoclax.
A Dartmouth team has successfully synthesized molecules that induce rapid apoptosis in leukemia cells, paving the way for further study of their biological mechanism of action. The findings hold promise for developing novel therapeutic strategies against cancer and other diseases linked to abnormal cell death.
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has established a new award to increase the number of physician-scientists in cancer research. The grant provides $100,000 per year for three years and up to $100,000 of medical school debt repayment. Two awardees will investigate novel approaches to fighting cancer.
A small pilot study found an experimental treatment approach can send deadly leukemia into remission in patients who have failed standard therapy. The combination of immunotherapy and gene manipulation buys critical time for patients to receive a potentially life-saving stem cell transplant.
Research suggests that breastfeeding for at least six months can significantly reduce the risk of childhood leukemia. The study analyzed data from 18 studies and found a 19% lower risk compared to no breastfeeding or shorter breastfeeding periods. Breast milk's immunological components may play a key role in this association.
A UCSF-led team discovered that the Haemophilus influenzae Type b vaccine protects against acute lymphoblastic leukemia by preventing the conversion of 'pre-leukemia' blood cells into full-blown cancer. Chronic infections push these cells into malignancy.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles found that minimal residual disease alone is not predictive of risk or outcome in children with T-cell leukemia. Despite having few remaining leukemia cells, patients achieved complete remission and had excellent outcomes without intensifying therapy.
A new gene involved in blood-forming stem cells has been discovered by U-M researchers, providing insights into the body's ability to create and maintain a healthy blood supply. The Ash1l gene plays a critical role in regulating hematopoietic stem cell maintenance and self-renewal potential.
Dr. Owen Witte, a pioneer in human leukemias and immune disorders, received the AACR G.H.A. Clowes Memorial Award for his groundbreaking work on tyrosine kinases as drug targets. His discoveries have led to multiple approved targeted therapies, transforming patient outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Michigan Medical School found that patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) who responded to decitabine treatment had a distinct DNA methylation pattern. This signature can be used to predict patient response to treatment, enabling more effective treatment planning.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine have developed a new compound that shows promise in treating acute leukemia and may also play a role in prostate cancer. The MLL-menin interaction is a key driver of the disease, and blocking this interaction has shown potential in laboratory studies.
Researchers identified a panel of genetic markers that predicted which tumor samples would likely respond to treatment for chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, a cancer affecting older adults with limited treatment options.
A new engineered protein-based medicine has been shown to overcome radiation resistance in leukemia by selectively binding to leukemia cells and amplifying the potency of radiation therapy. In mouse models, this precision medicine improved survival rates in aggressive human leukemia with minimal side effects.
A University of Colorado Cancer Center study found a heritable genetic cause of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), similar to the BRCA mutation that affects breast and ovarian cancer risk. The ETV6 gene mutation is present at birth and increases the development of ALL, with the potential for future strategies to prevent the disease.
A study by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that measuring residual leukemia cells in patient bone marrow during early weeks of chemotherapy helps identify high-risk patients who need intensive therapy. The technique improved survival rates for young leukemia patients, with 93.5% alive five years after diagnosis.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered a method to transform human leukemia cells into harmless immune cells called macrophages. This breakthrough offers potential hope for treating aggressive cancers like B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Researchers found that infants with a rare form of leukemia have surprisingly few genetic alterations beyond the MLL gene chromosomal rearrangement, suggesting targeting this abnormal protein may improve survival rates. The study also highlights the need for personalized treatments in pediatric cancer.
A study of 308 patients with CLL found that 10% discontinued ibrutinib therapy due to disease progression and Richter's transformation, while others stopped for other reasons. Patients who discontinued therapy had poor prognosis, highlighting the need for new research targets.
A study found that a gene variant is associated with a higher incidence and severity of peripheral neuropathy in children treated with vincristine, a widely used anticancer agent. The variant, CEP72, was linked to an increased risk of nerve damage and pain in patients receiving vincristine treatment.
A study published in Nature identified axitinib as a promising drug candidate for treating drug-resistant leukemia. The researchers used a novel screening method and partnered with Pfizer to define the mechanism of action, providing new insights into blocking cancer-causing kinases.
Researchers found that non-mutated CLL shows increased gene expression variability, while mutated leukaemia has lower variability. This variation is linked to tumour aggressiveness and may help predict disease subtype.
Researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, have found that CDK6 is essential for activating leukemic stem cells, which causes leukemia. Inhibiting CDK6 may prevent relapse, while leaving healthy stem cells unaffected.
A new protein-based therapy has been developed to target drug-resistant leukemia cells, with promising results in mouse models and potentially amplifying the potency of standard treatment options. The fusion protein CD19L-sTRAIL selectively binds and delivers a 'death signal' to leukemia cells.
Enzymes linked to diabetes and obesity play key roles in arthritis and leukemia, potentially opening new avenues for treating these diseases. Targeting ether lipids may reduce neutrophil levels, allowing the immune system to return to normal.
Researchers discovered that crosstalk between leukemia cells and stromal cells in the spleen is crucial for cancer growth. Blocking chemokine receptor CXCR5 prevents cancer cell entry and proliferation, identifying new targets for future therapies.
Researchers from Frankfurt and Moscow develop kinase inhibitor PF-114 effective against Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemia, including resistant cases. The new substance offers a more favorable profile than existing Ponatinib, paving the way for further clinical trials.
Researchers at the University of Southern California have engineered a new approach to attack childhood leukemia, a devastating form of cancer. They've designed a synthetic gene therapy that can selectively target and kill cancer stem cells, offering hope for children with relapsed disease.
Researchers discovered a new correlation between specific molecular features and CLL subgroups with different prognosis. The study identified subsets of patients with distinct clinical courses, allowing for better adjustment of therapeutic strategies and follow-up.
Research at Children's Hospital Los Angeles found that obese patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia are more than twice as likely to have minimal residual disease, a strong predictor of long-term survival and disease recurrence. The study suggests modifying chemotherapy regimens for obese patients may improve outcomes.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health have made breakthroughs in treating T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia by blocking the action of an enzyme called JMJD3. The treatment, GSKJ4, has shown promising results in mice and human lab cells, with cancer cells dying when treated with the experimental drug.
A study by Harvard University scientists has identified a non-toxic way to target leukemia cells' metabolism without harming normal cells. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for leukemia patients.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles have developed a method to multiply natural killer cells from patients with leukemia in the lab. These autologous NK cells can be used to destroy cancer cells, potentially providing a less toxic and more effective treatment for pediatric leukemia.
Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center identified a possible new drug target, LUNAR1, for treating childhood blood cancer. Blocking LUNAR1's action stalled leukemia progression and may offer an alternative to standard chemotherapy.
Scott Armstrong, M.D., Ph.D., has made significant contributions to the field of hematology with his research on leukemia and cancer stem cell biology. His work has led to new therapies for patients diagnosed with devastating leukemias, according to the American Society of Hematology.
A new study by Prof. Gennaro De Libero and his team at the University of Basel identifies a lipid molecule, methyl-lysophosphatidic acid (mLPA), that stimulates specific T cells to kill leukemia cells. This breakthrough discovery offers new avenues for non-invasive cancer immunotherapies.
Researchers have found a unique genetic pattern in leukemia cells of 22 patients diagnosed with cytogenetically normal acute myelogenous leukemia, which may lead to more targeted therapy and definitive prognosis.
A recent German study on a new drug therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute doctors highlight that most CLL patients are elderly with coexisting health issues, and the study found that subjects receiving obinutuzumab-chlorambucil had an a...
Researchers found that a common mutation activates the Akt pathway, rendering cells resistant to chemotherapy and increasing growth. Inhibition of this pathway restored leukemic cell responses to front-line therapy.
A UCLA research team has developed a treatment that blocks two metabolic pathways needed by leukemia cells, halting their growth and leading to cell death. The experimental treatment showed promising results in mice with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Researchers develop novel two-pronged strategy targeting DNA synthesis to treat leukemia in mice. The approach, which involves blocking both the de novo and salvage pathways, shows promise as a targeted metabolic intervention for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.