ScienceDaily: Leukemia News

'Undruggable' cancer may be druggable after all: New target identified

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:31:31 EDT

Researchers have identified in the most aggressive forms of cancer a gene known to regulate embryonic stem cell self-renewal, beginning a creative search for a drug that can block its activity.

Epigenetic factor likely plays a key role in fueling most common childhood cancer

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:35:35 EDT

Changes in an epigenetic mechanism that turns expression of genes on and off may be as important as genetic alterations in causing pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia, according to a new study.

Normal molecular pathway affected in poor-prognosis childhood leukemia identified

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 19:10:10 EDT

Through genetic engineering of laboratory models, researchers have uncovered a vulnerability in the way cancer cells diverge from normal regenerating cells that may help treat children with leukemia.

Genetic testing of rare blood cancer reveals new mutation

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 14:44:44 EDT

A recent article describes genetic testing of a rare blood cancer called atypical chronic neutrophilic leukemia that revealed a new mutation present in most patients with the disease.

Significantly improved survival rates for stem cell transplant recipients

Tue, 28 May 2013 18:08:08 EDT

Study of 38,000 blood stem cell transplant recipients shows that survival rates increased significantly over 12 years, and numbers of patients receiving transplants grew dramatically.

Findings may help overcome hurdle to successful bone marrow transplantation

Tue, 28 May 2013 12:24:24 EDT

Blood diseases such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, and myelodysplasia can develop from abnormal bone marrow cells and a dysfunctional bone marrow microenvironment that surrounds these cells. Researchers have found that eliminating a gene in the cells found in this microenvironment causes them to die, enabling donor cells to replace them. The findings could help improve bone marrow transplant therapy for patients who need it.

GATA-3 is important for regulation and maintenance of immune system

Mon, 27 May 2013 10:03:03 EDT

The protein GATA-3 plays an important role in mammalian immune response, but its overall function in cell development and cancer formation is not well understood. In an effort to further define the importance of GATA-3, researchers have traced how the protein performs important functions in CD8+T-cell type of the immune system.

Discarded immune cells induce the relocation of stem cells

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:35:35 EDT

The study reveals a surprising coordination between two fundamental body systems, the immune and the hematopoietic. The study has implications for the understanding of metastasis, because malignant stem cells involved in tumor formation could take advantage of this mechanism.

Keeping stem cells strong: RNA molecule protects stem cells during inflammation

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:39:39 EDT

A team of researchers led by biologists at the California Institute of Technology has found that, in mouse models, the molecule microRNA-146a acts as a critical regulator and protector of blood-forming stem cells (called hematopoietic stem cells, or HSCs) during chronic inflammation, suggesting that a deficiency of miR-146a may be one important cause of blood cancers and bone marrow failure.

Leap in leukemia treatment

Mon, 13 May 2013 17:43:43 EDT

Doctors have found a combination of drugs to potentially treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) more effectively. The research helps address a basic problem of treating CLL.

Possible new acute leukemia marker, treatment target identified

Mon, 13 May 2013 13:15:15 EDT

A study has identified microRNA-155 as a new independent prognostic marker and treatment target in patients with acute myeloid leukemia that has normal-looking chromosomes under the microscope (that is, cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia). The findings suggest that this molecule is important in leukemia development and should be targeted by a drug that will inhibit it.

Discovery pinpoints cause of two types of leukemia

Fri, 10 May 2013 10:21:21 EDT

Patients with two forms of leukemia, who currently have no viable treatment options, may benefit from existing drugs developed for different types of cancer, according to a new study.

Cancer drug prevents build-up of toxic brain protein

Fri, 10 May 2013 07:56:56 EDT

Researchers have used tiny doses of a leukemia drug to halt accumulation of toxic proteins in the brains of mice. They say their study offers a unique and exciting strategy to treat neurodegenerative diseases that feature abnormal buildup of proteins in Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal dementia, Huntington's disease and Lewy body dementia, among others.

Possible treatment for serious blood cancer

Mon, 06 May 2013 09:53:53 EDT

A single antibody could be the key to treating multiple myeloma, or cancer of the blood, currently without cure or long-term treatment. New tests have shown that the antibody is able to destroy myeloma cells.

Discovery may help prevent chemotherapy-induced anemia

Sun, 05 May 2013 14:58:58 EDT

Researchers have discovered that chemo induces a type of nerve damage inside bone marrow that can cause delays in recovery after bone marrow transplantation. The findings suggest that combining chemotherapy with nerve-protecting agents may prevent long-term bone marrow injury.

Scientists assemble genetic playbook for acute leukemia

Wed, 01 May 2013 14:44:44 EDT

A team of researchers led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has identified virtually all of the major mutations that drive acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a fast-growing blood cancer in adults that often is difficult to treat.

Potential drug targets, markers for leukemia risk identified

Wed, 01 May 2013 14:44:44 EDT

Investigators have detailed and broadly classified the genomic alterations that frequently underlie the development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a deadly cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Their work paints a picture of a cancer marked by relatively few mutations compared to other types of cancer occurring in adults.

Discovery brings hope of new tailor-made anti-cancer agents

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 15:38:38 EDT

Scientists have tailor-made a new chemical compound that blocks a protein that has been linked to poor responses to treatment in cancer patients. The development of the compound, called WEHI-539, is an important step towards the design of a potential new anti-cancer agent.

New drug combination therapy developed to treat leukemia

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:19:19 EDT

A new, pre-clinical study suggests that a novel drug combination could lead to profound leukemia cell death by disrupting the function of two major pro-survival proteins. The effectiveness of the therapy lies in its ability to target a pro-survival cell signaling pathway known as PI3K/AKT/mTOR, upon which the leukemia cells have become dependent.

Key bone marrow protein identified as potential new leukemia treatment target

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:48:48 EDT

A new study on how the progression of acute lymphocytic leukemia is influenced by the bone marrow environment has demonstrated for the first time that targeting a specialized protein known as osteopontin may be an effective strategy to increase the efficacy of chemotherapy in patients with this type of blood cancer.

Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy linked to increased incidence of specific pediatric cancers

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 09:09:09 EDT

Increased exposure to traffic-related air pollution during pregnancy was associated with a higher incidence of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and two rare childhood cancers, according to a new study.

Cancer immunotherapy in children: How does it differ from approaches in adults?

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:23:23 EDT

More often than not, cancer immunotherapies that work in adults are used in modified ways in children. Seldom are new therapies developed just for children, primarily because of the small number of pediatric patients relative to the adult cancer patient population. A new article takes a look at how experts are adapting immunotherapies to address childhood cancers.

Immunotherapy showed promising antileukemia activity in pediatric patients

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 09:07:07 EDT

Researchers using patients' own immune cells in an immunotherapy approach called "anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy," achieved responses in children whose acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) had returned after a bone marrow transplant, according to preliminary results.

Penn Medicine's new center for personalized diagnostics unlocks cancer's secrets

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:47:47 EDT

Penn Medicine’s new Center for Personalized Diagnostics, a joint initiative of the department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in the Perelman School of Medicine and the Abramson Cancer Center, is diving deeper into each patient’s tumor with next generation DNA sequencing. These specialized tests can refine patient diagnoses with greater precision than standard imaging tests and blood work, all with an aim to broaden treatment options and improve their efficacy.

Cell reprogramming to cure leukemia and lymphoma?

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:45:45 EDT

Researchers have reprogrammed lymphoma and leukemia cells to halt their malignancy. Resulting cells remained benign even when no longer subjected to treatment and patients were less likely to develop new tumors.

Promising stem cell therapy for leukemia patients

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:12:12 EDT

Leukemia patients receive a bone marrow transplant, which allows them to build a "new" immune system. However, this immune system not only attacks cancer cells but healthy tissue too. Special antibodies will be used to protect healthy tissue in future.

Monoclonal antibody targets, kills leukemia cells

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 16:02:02 EDT

Researchers have identified a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets and directly kills chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells.

T-cell therapy eradicates an aggressive leukemia in two children

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 12:43:43 EDT

Two children with an aggressive form of childhood leukemia had a complete remission of their disease -- showing no evidence of cancer cells in their bodies -- after treatment with a novel cell therapy that reprogrammed their immune cells to rapidly multiply and destroy leukemia cells.

Old mice, young blood: Rejuvenating blood of mice by reprogramming stem cells that produce blood

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 09:36:36 EDT

The blood of young and old people differs. Scientists have now rejuvenated the blood of mice by reversing, or reprogramming, the stem cells that produce blood.

New method developed to expand blood stem cells for bone marrow transplant

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:19:19 EDT

More than 50,000 stem cell transplants are performed each year worldwide. Scientists may have solved a major issue of expanding adult hematopoietic stem cells outside the human body for clinical use in bone marrow transplantation -- a critical step towards producing a large supply of blood stem cells needed to restore a healthy blood system.

Researchers study use of dasatinib for patients with high-risk MDS

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 10:51:51 EDT

Researchers have completed a phase II clinical trial to determine the safety and efficacy of dasatinib for patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, or acute myeloid leukemia resulting from MDS and have failed treatment with azanucleosides. The therapy may not be effective for all patients, but those with trisomy 8 chromosomal disorder have higher rates of stable disease and respond better to treatment with dasatinib, the study shows.

Yogurt organisms and cancer research

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 14:41:41 EDT

One may not think of probiotics -- like those found in yogurt that promote good digestive health -- as a weapon used in the fight against cancer. But that is the focus of investigators who are examining the effectiveness of probiotics as they relate to the outcomes of bone marrow transplant for patients with blood cancers.

New monoclonal antibody developed that can target proteins inside cancer cells

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:07:07 EDT

Scientists have created a unique monoclonal antibody that can effectively reach inside a cancer cell.

Breakthrough in battle against leukemia

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 11:24:24 EDT

Scientists have discovered a critical weakness in leukemic cells, which may pave the way to new treatments.

Using fat to fight brain cancer: Stem cells from human adipose tissue used to chase migrating cancer cells

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 17:16:16 EDT

In laboratory studies, researchers say they have found that stem cells from a patient's own fat may have the potential to deliver new treatments directly into the brain after the surgical removal of a glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive form of brain tumor.

Therapies for ALL and AML targeting MER receptor hold promise of more effect with less side-effect

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 09:15:15 EDT

Studies show that the protein receptor Mer is overexpressed in many leukemias, and that inhibition of this Mer receptor results in the death of leukemia cells -- without affecting surrounding, healthy cells.

A better bone marrow transplant: Preventing graft-versus-host disease

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 12:29:29 EST

Bone marrow transplant is a key treatment for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and other blood disorders.

Protein balance key in preventing cancer

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:20:20 EST

Two proteins that scientists once thought carried out the same functions are actually antagonists of each other, and keeping them in balance is key to preventing diseases such as cancer, according to new findings. The results suggest that new compounds could fight cancer by targeting the pathways responsible for maintaining the proper balance between the proteins.

Infusion of stem cells and specially generated T-cells from same donor improves leukemia survival

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:12:12 EST

In a significant advance for harnessing the immune system to treat leukemias, researchers for the first time have successfully infused large numbers of donor T-cells specific for a key anti-leukemic antigen to prolong survival in high-risk and relapsed leukemia patients after stem cell transplantation. Both the stem cells for transplant and the T-cells came from the same matched donors.

Genetic variation behind acute myeloid leukemia treatment success identified

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 13:55:55 EST

Researchers are working to identify genetic variations that may help signal which acute myeloid leukemia patients will benefit or not benefit from one of the newest antileukemic agents.

Eat too much? Maybe it's in the blood: Blood marrow derived cells regulate appetite

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 11:38:38 EST

Bone marrow cells that produce brain-derived neurotrophic factor, known to affect regulation of food intake, travel to part of the hypothalamus in the brain where they "fine-tune" appetite, said researchers in a new article.

Scientists find bone-marrow environment that helps produce infection-fighting T and B cells

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 14:29:29 EST

Medical researchers have deepened the understanding of the environment within bone marrow that nurtures stem cells, this time identifying the biological setting for specialized blood-forming cells that produce the infection-fighting white blood cells known as T cells and B cells.

Distinct niches in bone marrow nurture blood stem cells

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 14:26:26 EST

In research that could one day improve the success of stem cell transplants and chemotherapy, scientists have found that distinct niches exist in bone marrow to nurture different types of blood stem cells.

New compound holds high promise in battling kidney cancer

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 16:12:12 EST

Chemists have developed a compound that holds much promise in the laboratory in fighting renal (kidney) cancer. Named TIR-199, the compound targets the "proteasome," a cellular complex in kidney cancer cells, similar to the way the drug bortezomib, approved by the Food and Drug Administration, targets the proteasome in multiple myeloma cells, a cancer coming from bone marrow.

Risk of leukemia after cancer chemotherapy persists

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 10:38:38 EST

While advancements in cancer treatment over the last several decades have improved patient survival rates for certain cancers, some patients remain at risk of developing treatment-related leukemia, according to results of a new study.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy: Pioneering technique to effectively treat mucositis

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 07:55:55 EST

Mucositis is one of the most frequent side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in cancer patients and currently cannot be treated. Investigators have now patented a melatonin gel that they say is 100% effective against this inflammatory reaction.

New strategy for interfering with potent cancer-causing gene

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:23:23 EST

About five-ten percent of cases of acute myeloid leukemia, an aggressive blood cancer that is currently incurable in 70 percent of patients, are characterized by the rearrangement of a gene called MLL (Mixed-Lineage Leukemia). Medical researchers have identified a protein, RNF20, involved in DNA packaging that is essential for MLL-rearranged leukemia and thus presents an attractive therapeutic target.

'Achilles' heel' for lymphoid leukemia identified

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 13:50:50 EST

Scientists have found a possible alternative treatment for lymphoid leukemia. They discovered a molecule that represents the disease's "Achilles' heel" and could be targeted to develop a new approach that would reduce the adverse effects of current treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Cells predict onset of graft-versus-host disease in men receiving bone marrow transplants from female donors

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:37:37 EST

Researchers have identified a clutch of cells that -- if seen in a male patient's blood after receiving a brand-new immune system in the form of a bone-marrow transplant from a female donor -- herald the onset of chronic graft-versus-host disease, or cGVHD. In this devastating syndrome, the patient's tissues come under a vicious and enduring assault by the transplanted cells.

Growth factor aids stem cell regeneration after radiation damage

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 14:55:55 EST

Epidermal growth factor has been found to speed the recovery of blood-making stem cells after exposure to radiation, according to researchers. The finding could open new options for treating cancer patients and victims of dirty bombs or nuclear disaster.

Mutations linked to relapse of childhood leukemia discovered

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 14:54:54 EST

After an intensive three-year hunt through the genome, medical researchers have pinpointed mutations that leads to drug resistance and relapse in the most common type of childhood cancer —- the first time anyone has linked the disease’s reemergence to specific genetic anomalies.

Helping healthy cells could be key to fighting leukemia, research suggests

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 23:13:13 EST

Instead of focusing on the elimination of cancer cells, maintaining a stable population of healthy blood cells in the bone marrow could be the most effective way to fight against leukemia.

Cancer cell metabolism study yields new insights on leukemia

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:31:31 EST

Scientists have proposed a new reason why acute myeloid leukemia, one of the most aggressive cancers, is so difficult to cure: A subset of cells that drive the disease appear to have a much slower metabolism than most other tumors cells.

Drug targets hard-to-reach leukemia stem cells responsible for relapses

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:29:29 EST

Researchers have discovered that hard-to-reach, drug-resistant leukemia stem cells (LSCs) that overexpress multiple pro-survival protein forms are sensitive – and thus vulnerable – to a novel cancer stem cell-targeting drug currently under development.

Gene in eye melanomas linked to good prognosis

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 16:35:35 EST

Melanomas that develop in the eye often are fatal. Now, scientists report they have identified a mutated gene in melanoma tumors of the eye that appears to predict a good outcome.

Scientists seek out cancer cells hiding from treatment

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 09:01:01 EST

Funding to improve leukemia treatment will investigate how cancer cells hide to avoid chemotherapy drugs.

Gene promotes drug resistance in cancer

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 12:49:49 EST

Scientists have identified a gene that may be a target for overcoming drug resistance in cancer. The finding could improve prognostic and diagnostic tools for evaluating cancer and monitoring patient response to treatment. It also could lead to new therapies for eradicating drug-resistant cancer cells.

Enzyme accelerates malignant stem cell cloning in chronic myeloid leukemia

Wed, 26 Dec 2012 08:03:03 EST

An international team has identified a key enzyme in the reprogramming process that promotes malignant stem cell cloning and the growth of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a cancer of the blood and marrow that experts say is increasing in prevalence.

Research sheds new light on mechanisms of T-ALL, a form of leukemia that primarily affects children

Sun, 23 Dec 2012 15:24:24 EST

Acute lymphatic leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer in children under the age of 14 years. With optimum treatment, approximately 75 percent of children are currently cured, but the treatment consists of severe chemotherapy with many side effects. Researchers have identified new genetic mutations that lead to T-ALL, a variant of ALL. They have unmasked the ribosome -- the molecular machine in the cell that is involved in the production of proteins -- as a weak spot in leukemia cells. Their research has also shown that there is a difference in T-ALL between adults and children. Both findings can be important in the search for improved treatments for T-ALL.

Options increase for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients failed by existing drugs

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 23:32:32 EST

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this month expanded the options for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia and one form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia that carries the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph+ALL). It approved the drug ponatinib (Iclusig), which is effective in a significant number of patients with either disease.