Author Interviews, Genetic Research, Leukemia, Personalized Medicine / 12.11.2024

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Professor Ong Sin Tiong Cancer & Stem Cell Biology Signature Research Programme Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore Dr Yu Mengge Research Fellow, Cancer & Stem Cell Biology Signature Research Programme Duke-NUS Medical School MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: The background of this study is rooted in the observation that certain genetic variations among East Asian populations, notably the BIM deletion polymorphism (BDP), impact treatment outcomes in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). Patients with the BDP show resistance to conventional treatments, specifically tyrosine kinase inhibitors like imatinib. This resistance stems from the variant's role in promoting cancer cell survival, which leads to more aggressive disease progression. (more…)
Author Interviews, Cancer Research, Leukemia, Stem Cells / 01.11.2024

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Eirini Papapetrou, MD, PhD Professor of Oncological Sciences Professor of Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology Director, Center for Advancement of Blood Cancer Therapies Co-Director, Stem Cell Engineering Core Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY 10029   MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: RAS in the most commonly mutated oncogene in human cancers. Particularly in acute myeloid leukemia, about one third of cases have RAS mutations. We set out to understand the role of these mutations in the development of leukemia and in response to treatment. We found that RAS mutations happen late in the course of the disease as progression mutations because they are acquired by more mature leukemic cells coming from preexisting leukemia stem cells (LSCs). Importantly, these more mature cells, upon acquisition of RAS mutations, become leukemia stem cells (LSCs) with different properties than the previous LSCs. Most critically, they develop resistance to a recently FDA-approved drug for the treatment of leukemia, venetoclax (VEN). In addition, these RAS-mutated LSCs give rise to leukemia cells with monocytic differentiation. Both RAS mutations and monocytic differentiation of AML have previously been associated with VEN resistance in clinical studies. We show that it is the RAS mutations that cause both the monocytic differentiation and the VEN resistance. Thus, poor patient outcomes after VEN therapy are driven by RAS mutations and not by monocytic disease.  (more…)
Hematology, Leukemia / 02.07.2024

bone-marrow-aspirateBone marrow aspiration is a medical procedure where a small amount of the liquid part of your bone marrow is removed for examination. A bone marrow aspirate can be essential in diagnosing and monitoring various conditions affecting your blood cells, such as anemia, leukemia, and infections. Understanding this procedure can provide insight into why your doctor may recommend it and what to expect. During a bone marrow aspiration, your healthcare provider will take a sample using a needle inserted into a larger bone, typically the hip. The process is usually performed alongside a bone marrow biopsy, which involves taking a small amount of solid bone marrow tissue. These procedures can yield valuable information about the health and functionality of your bone marrow. Preparation for bone marrow aspiration involves a few straightforward steps to ensure your comfort and safety. Knowing the potential risks and benefits can help you feel more at ease and prepared for this critical diagnostic tool. (more…)
Author Interviews, Cancer Research, Hematology, Leukemia / 15.06.2023

Medical Research Interview: Dr. Daniel Thomas MD PhD FRACP FRCPA Program Leader, Blood Cancer Precision Medicine Theme at the South Australia Health Medical Research Institute Clinical Hematologist, Royal Adelaide Hospital Associate Professor, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Would you briefly describe the condition of CMML? Response: Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a rare, but increasingly frequent, clonal stem cell disorder that results in hyperproliferation of inflammatory monocytes, a form of white blood cells. It features both myelodysplasia and myeloproliferation. CMML is most often found in older adults and leads to anemia, decreased quality of life, and an increased risk of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a cytokine that stimulates production, growth, differentiation, activation, and function of myeloid cells (monocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils). In the presence of RAS-pathway mutations, a greater sensitivity to GM-CSF contributes to the hyperproliferation of myelocytes in myelodysplastic leukemias such as CMML, juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).  In CMML, greater sensitivity to GM-CSF stimulates excessive monocytic precursor proliferation. The PREACH-M Trial, which stands for PREcision Approach to CHronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia, assesses the efficacy of lenzilumab in addition to azacitidine in treatment-naïve CMML participants with RAS-pathway mutations (KRAS, NRAS, CBL) and separately high dose ascorbate in participants with TET2 mutations who do not have RAS-pathway mutations. The study is currently underway and actively enrolling.  It is being conducted and funded by the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI).  (more…)