Grape Seeds Could Kill Leukemia Cells

According to a recent study conducted at the University of Kentucky, a natural compound that can be extracted from grape seed could potentially kill leukemia cells. When these cancerous cells are exposed to the extract, researchers found that about 76 percent of them would be dead within 24 hours. So what is behind this new revelation?


Researchers think that the extract basically forces these harmful cells to “commit suicide” or what’s referred to as apoptosis. Apoptosis is a kind of programmed death that occurs with the cells when they are growing or developing and something goes wrong with the process. When an individual is inflicted with leukemia this means that the disease and other cancers have somehow blocked the cell signaling pathway which enables bad cells to die off. Apoptosis is essentially how the body keeps cancers and other illnesses from affecting the body.


How Can Grape Seeds Help?


The study reveals that grape seed extract is able to activate a protein known as JNK that helps to regulate the apoptotic highway and allows any damaged cells within the body to commit suicide. Grape seed extract has been studied by numerous researchers after it was discovered that this natural substance could benefit activity in breast, skin, lung, and prostate cancer patients. However, before this study, no one had tested the extract on hematological cancers.


“What everyone seeks is an agent that has an effect on cancer cells but leaves normal cells alone, and this shows that grape seed extract fits into this category,” explains the study’s author, Xianglin Shi, Ph.D. Shi emphasizes that this research is still in its earliest stages. Although, it is promising since hematological cancers such as leukemia, are the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.

 

Leukemia Medication Shows Promise

Health physicians have reportedly discovered a new weapon that can be used to fight the oftentimes life-threatening illness known as leukemia. Although the drug was once dismissed as being ineffective for cancer treatment, new findings have revealed that this could just be the medication that helps fight leukemia.


Flavopiridol has shown beneficial results in both phase I and II clinical trials that involved 116 patients who were suffering from advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CCL). Researchers from The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute have been conducting trials and studies on the drug in recent months.


Trial Results Revealed


In an estimated half of the patients involved in the trials, their response to Flavopiridol was supposedly positive. Many of the participants had chromosomal abnormalities that made it unlikely that they would be helped by standard therapies.


In recent years, treatment of this type of leukemia has improved; however, the disease, which affects about 15,000 people each year, is still incurable. It is also the most common type of adult leukemia and a majority of patients suffer significant infections caused by the disease and the treatment given to them.


Medication Background


During the 1980s, Flavopiridol was tested on animals and showed promise as an effective drug to treat leukemia. But when it was given to humans in repeated trials, it was ineffective and eventually researchers forgot all about the medication.


In recent years however, Ohio State researchers discovered that flavopiridol binds to proteins within the human blood, so it was revealed that in the earlier trials, humans were not getting enough of the drug for it to be effective.


"Flavopiridol has bridged the way for several CCL patients to receive a curative stem cell transplant," explains Dr. John Byrd, associate director of translational research and the principal investigator in the phase II trial.

 

Leukemia is the Most Common Type of Children's Cancer

According to recent reports, leukemia is the most common type of cancer to inflict children. This type of cancer affects the blood-forming tissues that enable the bone marrow and lymphatic systems to function properly. Leukemia typically begins in the white blood cells, before it spreads into the red blood cells and platelets of the body.


The white blood cells are potent infection fighters that typically grow and divide in a somewhat orderly way, depending upon how the body needs to use them. However, for patients who are suffering from leukemia, the bone marrow produces a large number of abnormal white blood cells that typically don't function properly.


Leukemia Affects Adults Too


Although research shows that leukemia is most common in children, it isn’t simply a children's disease. Doctors have found that the disease has four main types and many subtypes — and only some of these are common in children. The disease is classified upon how fast the leukemia progresses, according to researchers.


For those who have acute leukemia, the abnormal blood cells have immature blood cells, also called, blasts. In this case, they aren’t able to carry out their normal work, and instead they multiply rapidly, so the disease worsens quickly. In cases of acute leukemia these blasts happen so often and at such a rapid pace that patients are required to get aggressive and timely treatment.


There are several factors that play a part in why adults develop leukemia, the most common one being exposure to benzene. Benzene is a toxic chemical that is typically used as an additive in gasoline and can be found in sodas and cigarettes. Those who inhale, ingest or handle the chemical are at high risk of developing leukemia and other forms of life altering cancers.

 

New Leukemia Medication Shows Promise

Novartis AG recently announced that their new cancer drug, Tasigna, is showing promise as an effective treatment for patients suffering from leukemia. According to a spokesperson for the company, Tasigna is effective and helpful for newly diagnosed patients who a living with life threatening forms of leukemia.


Data from the two mid-stage clinical trials was presented at the American Society of Hematology and proved that there was a fast elimination of cancer cells in 96 percent of patients who were given Tasigna as a form of treatment. Patients who were suffering from Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia were reportedly particularly responsive to the drug.  


"Tasigna now shows potential to become the treatment of choice for certain newly diagnosed patients with chronic myeloid leukemia," Novartis stated to reporters.


Tasigna Details


Tasigna has been approved for patients who are no longer responding to Glivec, which until now has been Novartis’ second-biggest seller and the most effective treatment for this deadly form of leukemia.  
Data which was presented to a panel of researchers showed that an estimated nine out of ten patients suffering from this type of leukemia are still living in a healthy state after enduring seven years of a clinical trial with Glivec. This proves to be the longest overall survival for patients who are living with Philadelphia chromosome-positive CML.
Causes of CML

Leukemia and many other forms of cancer are commonly linked to exposure to the toxic chemical benzene. Benzene is a known carcinogen that is commonly used in various types of dyes, sodas, and is used as an additive in gasoline.

Those who are exposed to benzene over a long duration of time are at high risk of developing leukemia and other life altering illnesses due to the toxicity of the chemical.
 

U.S. Study Tests Cold-fX for Leukemia Patients

According to reports, Cold-fX will be used in a clinical trial and test by the U.S. National Cancer Institute for use in leukemia patients. The study will determine whether or not Cold-fX would be effective in preventing acute respiratory infections and help to reduce antibiotic use in patients. More than 300 patients suffering from lymphocytic leukemia will take part in the study.


This leukemia study will be conducted throughout the main cold and flu season, which will last from January to April 2009. Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina will be serving as the lead researchers in the study and is considered to be one of the world’s leading cancer research centers.


Leukemia Study Details


Dr. Kevin High, the chief of infectious diseases at the School of Medicine will also serve as the trial’s lead investigator. Dr. High says the risk of acquiring a respiratory infection increases in cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, an illness those most likely effects the elderly.


“The weakened immune system means vaccines don't work as well, so alternative ways of preventing infection are urgently needed,” explains Dr. High. “Our hypothesis - that Cold-fX could reduce infections by enhancing immune function in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients - is supported by previous research. We are encouraging results from studies that, importantly, involved older adults, including trials that demonstrated safety and effectiveness in seniors in nursing homes."


How Cold-fX Could Help Leukemia Patients


Cold-fX is an extract of North American ginseng that is designed to boost the immune system in the human body.


Dr. Edward Shaw, the principal of Wake Forest's Comprehensive Cancer Centre, has referred to the Cold-fX study as potentially being the most important clinical trial using a natural product in the 10 years that Wake Forest has been adding to its Community Clinical Oncology Program Research Base.

 

CO Community Throws Benefit for Woman with Leukemia

Those living in the small town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, have joined together to help their friend, and neighbor, in need. The community of Hayden has really stepped up in their efforts to help Sharon Rogers, a local woman who was recently diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

The community has organized a benefit bazaar, which will take place this coming weekend, in an effort to raise money for Rogers.

"It's a little community, and we don't have all the resources big communities have," explains Kathy Hockin, who has helped plan the bazaar. “And when somebody's having a hard time and is laid up, we try to do what we can do. It's nothing formal — we just try to do the right thing."

Living with Leukemia

Rogers is reportedly currently undergoing her third round of chemotherapy treatment for her illness. According to family and friends, the first two rounds didn't help much, and since Rogers was diagnosed in 1999, she has endured a great deal of emotional and physical pain.

The volunteers working at the bazaar will be selling personalized gift baskets, candles and stuffed animals, with all proceeds going towards helping Rogers with her medical care. The event will be taking place at the Routt County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall and Rogers hopes it will also help to raise awareness about leukemia and its causes.

50 baskets have already been assembled and among the other items locals can buy at this free event are Christmas decorations, women's clothing, children's clothing, rugs and more.

"I think it's wonderful," Rogers said. "It's really good."

Extreme Makeover Focuses on Child with Leukemia

America’s favorite television show, Extreme Makeover Home Edition’s latest episode focuses on a family living in Arkansas who is dealing with the fatal illness, leukemia. The episode, which is set to air this week, exposes audiences to the McCully family from Bigelow, Arkansas. Within the family is a ten-year-old boy named Job, who is living with leukemia, a cancer of the blood, and who serves as an inspiration to many.

 

Since his diagnosis, Job has undergone several surgeries, including a bone marrow and double lung transplant. However, through it all he has kept a positive attitude and has seemingly overcome the illness that can plague people and in some cases, quickly take their lives.

 

Behind the Illness

 

Reports claim that Job has been in and out of hospitals for years and in March 2008, paid what is hoped to have been his last visit. Although he still has to go in for periodical check-ups, the McCully family has been able to have Job live at home, which in their eyes is a miracle in itself after all he’s been through.

 

Though, the place the McCully’s call home could be partially to blame for Job’s health complications. The family’s home is supposedly moldy and outdated, with a leaking roof and walls infested with mildew. In 2006, Job’s lungs showed up with fungus on them, a fungus thought to be acquired from the mildew in the home. Since this time, the family has lived in constant fear that their home is making them sick and potentially creating more health problems for Job.

 

 TV Show Hopes to Make a Difference

 

Ty Pennington and his team at Extreme Makeover are hoping that they can provide the McCully family with a home that will free them from any worry and stress. Job has already suffered a great deal with his treatments and the new home is meant to serve as a new beginning for the boy and his new life of health living. Hundreds of volunteers throughout the town are also helping with the building of the new home so Job and his hard-working family will have a comfortable and safe place to come home too.

San Diegans Take Part in Light the Night

Qualcomm Stadium in the city of San Diego became filled with walkers looking to make a difference this weekend. The Light the Night two-mile walk was held as part of a nationwide Leukemia & Lymphoma Society program. Events across the country are being held in honor of the program in order to celebrate and commemorate people who have been affected by this deadly form of cancer.

 

Among the 2,000 walkers at the event held for leukemia victims in San Diego was Tom Hagedorn, who is the men’s tennis coach at the University of San Diego. Hagedorn, 43, was one of many who could be seen carrying an illuminated white balloon, which signified that he was a cancer survivor. Those supporting cancer patients held red-lit balloons and walkers holding illuminated balloons represented loved ones who had passed away from leukemia.

 

Leukemia Walk Brings Back Memories

 

 

For Hagehorn and many others the evening brought back memories of days spent in the hospital and receiving a diagnosis no one wants to hear. However, it also served as inspiration to those around them and reminded all the walkers that this disease can be fought.

 

When Hagedorn was diagnosed with leukemia 14 months ago, the doctor told him he should pack his bags and move into the hospital to immediately begin chemotherapy. It was only three days into his treatment when Hagedorn’s body began rejecting the treatment drugs and his lungs begin to hemorrhage. As a result, he fell into a coma and was transferred to the intensive-care unit. His wife, Melissa, was reportedly “prepared for his death” by the doctors and nurses caring for him.

 

It was as his family gathered at his bedside that his oxygen numbers immediately began spiking and he came out of his coma. Days after he woke up, he underwent a bone-marrow biopsy which showed that his cancer was in remission.

 

Nearly 15 family members gathered around Hagedorn's bed that night. Melissa remembers Hagedorn's mother touching her son's leg and his oxygen numbers immediately spiking.

 

 “In my nearly 25 years of being a physician,” explained his physician, Dr. Krebs, “I have never seen anyone: A) have that immediate reaction to chemotherapy, and B) be in such critical condition and survive. He was as close to death as people can get and pull through. It still amazes me.”

 

Now, Hagedorn is back on the tennis courts at USD and walking to make a difference for all of those who were not fortunate to beat the disease, as well as those who are currently going through what he did.

Bay Area Residents Run for a Cause

 Robyn Froerer was one of many training for the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco, which helps raise funds to combat deadly diseases, when she decided to take some action of her own. It was on one of her long-distance runs when she realized the source of her inspiration.

 
Froerer took a day off from running and went to the cancer ward at the University of California-San Francisco Medical Center where her six-year-old daughter, Isabella Jane was battling for her life. Isabella was suffering from leukemia, one of the many diseases the marathon focused on raising money for, and Froerer decided it would be more effective for Isabella to come to the track with her so the other runners could actually see the effects of the disease. Isabella’s hair was mostly gone from her chemotherapy treatments and she appeared to be gaunt; however, her health condition was something Froerer thought was essential for the runners to see so they could be informed of the important role they were playing by participating in the run.

 
"My motivation was to let those people know who they were running for, to put a face to their cause," Froerer explained. "Isabelle Jane looked to them as her team, the team that was going to save her life. Even after she'd had horrendous chemotherapy, she wanted to go cheer them on, to be at the water stops to let them know, 'If I can be here, you can do this.' "


More Americans Taking Action for a Good Cause

  

Research shows that in the past few years more Americans have taken to races and fundraisers to contribute to a good cause, such as raising money for leukemia victims. In 2007 alone, the top 30 fundraising runs, walks and bike rides reportedly raised over $1.6 billion for various fatal illnesses. This amount showed a 12 percent increase from the year before.

  

The Nike Women’s Marathon that Froerer is participating in this year is expected to attract more than 20,000 participants. In the past four years that the race has been held it has managed to raise more than $60 million for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

  

“You feel like you're standing shoulder to shoulder with thousands of people who want to make a difference" says Froerer, who has participated in the race before.

 

Leukemia Cluster Scientific Symposium Held in LV

In 2001 Jeff Braccini, whose three-year-old son was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) at the time, opened the leukemia cluster scientific symposium. The symposium was held at the University of Reno and enabled scientists to view the human faces of the diseases they’re studying.

 

The grantees of the federal grant secured at this most recent showing, which was open to scientists last week, was reportedly to study the Fallon leukemia cluster. When the Fallon leukemia cluster occurred, 17 children were sickened between 1997 and 2001 with the deadly cancer. At the symposium, researchers gathered to share their findings regarding this occurrence and discuss related research.

 

Man Fights on Behalf of Son

 

 

Braccini is reportedly a member of the Families in Search of Truth, which was created to push for further scientific research to be done after the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention was shut down. Senator Harry Reid is said to have meet with all of the families that are a part of this group and have been affected by leukemia to lend a helping hand. He also contributed, along with several of his colleagues, thousands of dollars to the cause.

 

“It’s important to use research, and it may take time,” Murphy said. “We don’t know what’s changed and what’s abated,” explains Dr. William Murphy from UNR’s School of Medicine.


Topics Covered in Hopes of Leukemia Research

 

 

Each researcher at the event presented a project and the preliminary results are reportedly going to go towards an ongoing scientific investigation of the causes of leukemia. According to the scientists, final conclusions will not be met until some point next year.

 

Among the attendees was Dr. Joseph Wiemels, a grantee from the University of California, San Francisco. Wiemels is the head \of the children’s cancer control study in the Bay Area, which has 1,1100 cases yearly. He felt the Fallon leukemia cluster cases would be particularly applicable in providing insight into childhood leukemia

Gaming to Raise Money for Leukemia

Video games are typically catered towards children and even thought of in a negative manner due to their violence; however, a new online site dispels these associations. Play2Cures is a new site that helps raise money and awareness for leukemia, lymphoma and myleoma.

 

On the site, visitors of all ages can play solitare, sudoku and minature golf in an effort to raise money for a good cause. The site was developed and designed by Pledgeplay, which is a company that creates funding sites and Play2Cures operates merely on donations.

 

Play for a Good Cause

 

 

According to reports, there are currently five games available to those who want to play for a good cause and the site will be adding more games on a regular basis. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) recently announced their partnership with Play2Cures and are hoping to raise $10,000 by December 31. The site serves as a good example of how games can not only help raise money and awareness, but they can also help children to better cope with cancer.

 

One child who has been helped by the site is Taylor Carol from Dana Point, California. Taylor was a typical 11-year-old boy who loved baseball when doctors discovered he had acute lymphocytic leukemia. During the months that Taylor was fighting for his life and receiving bone marrow transplants, his father, software designer Jim Carol and CEO of Game 7 Entertainment, launched Pledgeplay. The site focuses on being a positive way families can bond with each other while helping others, like Taylor, receive the treatment and care they need.

 

Reports show that more than 50 million U.S. adults play family-friendly games online and view gaming as a good hobby to help them bond with family members. While Taylor was hospitalized the site served as a good distraction for him and now that he has healed him and his father hope that it will do the same for others who are suffering from leukemia and other forms of cancer

Couple Goes on Hike for Discovery

In an effort to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Lapeer Business Association president Mike Manchester traded in his suit and tie for a pair of hiking shoes. Manchester and his wife, Sharon, took part in the annual Hike for Discovery in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

 

Manchester’s presence at the hike was important to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society seeing as he is the manager of First Preferred Mortgage Co., is a member of the Lapeer Area Chamber of Commerce, the local Realtor Association and the Lapeer and Upper Thumb Association of Realtors. Aside from the publicity he brought to the hike, Manchester says his greatest accomplishment has been standing by his wife and seeing her strength as she’s suffered through cancer.

 

Husband and Wife Team Up for a Good Cause

 

 

The Manchester’s decided to go on the hike after Sharon was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 2005. During 2006 and 2007 alone Mike helped raise more than $16,000 through the Discovery Hikes at the Grand Canyon and Yosemite national parks.


"As a husband I needed to have something I could do that was positive for my wife," explains Manchester. "I couldn't cure her cancer, but I can certainly help raise money for the people who hopefully will find a cure someday."

 

Money Raised for Cancer Research

 

Like many victims of leukemia, Sharon has already endured two rounds of chemotherapy and receives 24-hour radiation treatments. This year, Mike set a goal to raise at least

 

$6,200 to fund leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and Hodgkin’s disease research. Combined, these fatal illnesses affect an estimated 712, 000 people living in the United States yearly. According to reports, Mike is currently only $2, 400 short of his goal.

 

“It’s blood cancer research we're hiking for, but some of the programs they fund are applicable to other types of cancer as well, so helping this cause can have a positive impact for many people," said Manchester.

Screen Legend Dies from Leukemia

 World renowned actor and acclaimed philanthropist Paul Newman passed away from leukemia over the weekend. Newman, 83, was reportedly surrounded by family and friends at his home in Westport, Connecticut, when he lost he long battle to cancer. The public was made aware of Newman’s illness over the summer when his publicist exposed the news and after undergoing continuing chemotherapy treatment, he was dismissed in August from Weill Cornell Medical Center.

 

The Man Behind the Name

 

Not only was Paul Newman an Academy Award-winning actor who called fellow actor, Robert Redford his best friend, he was also a race car driver, a father, a political activist, an entrepreneur and beloved husband. He rose to fame in the 1960’s playing the rebel in movies like “The Hustler” and “Cool Hand Luke.” However, Newman could rarely be caught referring to himself as a celebrity and instead took pride in the many charities he worked so passionately to support and expose. Over the years, his line of salad dressings and organic foods, “Newman’s Own” helped raise more than $200 million to aid the chronically and terminally ill children throughout the country. His wife, Joanne Woodward, and him also contributed a great deal campaigning for the Democrat party and Civil Rights in America.

 

Leukemia Cuts Life Short

  

Leukemia, a cancer which is commonly caused by exposure to benzene, is to blame for cutting Newman’s life short. Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow and is often characterized by an abnormal production of blood cells in the human body. White blood cells are commonly produced in an a-typical manner in those suffering from this fatal illness and although chemotherapy has proven to be an effective treatment, a cure has yet to be found. 

 

 

Leukemia News and Blog Posts

Here are a few news stories concerning Leukemia from other Blog sites.

Hundreds in NJ Volunteer to Help Leukemia Victims

Residents of New Jersey recently proved their role as a supportive community when over 445 people registered to be potential bone marrow donors for a woman living with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). These volunteers were selected from a larger number of people who supposedly donated more than $23,000 to the bone marrow registry to help a local mother suffering from this fatal form of cancer.

Community Unites

 

Lisa Mottesi, a township mother of three was recently diagnosed with AML. After undergoing chemotherapy, Mottesi now needs a life-saving bone marrow transplant and those around her are taking action to help. Friends, family members and strangers alike have plastered posters throughout their small town of Millburn to ensure that everyone would be well-informed about Mottesi’s condition and understand what they can do to help her and others living with leukemia.

According to Mr. Billstein from DKMS Americas, a world renowned bone marrow transplant center, an estimated one percent of the donors who registered will actually be eligible to donate their bone marrow cells within the next twelve months to victims who could otherwise lose their lives to the illness.

"If we combine the best practices developed by DKMS Worldwide with the generosity in America, we will be able to register millions here in America,” explains Billstein, “thus saving thousands and thousands of those ten thousands who desperately wait to find a matching donor every day."

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Childhood Cancers by Geographic Region

A study done by researchers at the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta and published in the June issue of Pediatrics concluded that there are substantial regional differences  in the occurrence of childhood cancer.  It also demonstrated that other factors such as age, race and gender also influence child cancer rates.

Researchers with the CDC in Atlanta identified and studied nearly 36,500 cases of childhood cancer to determine how a patient's physical characteristics (demographic information) and place of residence (geographic information) may play a role in the overall frequency of the disease. The cases were sorted by age, gender, race, ethnicity, and geography.

From the data studied they learned that the chances of being diagnosed with childhood cancer were:    

  • Northeast: 179.12 per million
  • Midwest: 165.50 per million
  • West: 165.26 per million
  • South: 158.65 per million  

In other findings it was learned that boys are more likely than girls to be diagnosed with lymphoid leukemia while  kidney cancer, thyroid cancer and malignant melanomas were  more common for the girls.  It was also learned that cancer was more prevalent in whites than any other race, that teens from 15 to 19 were diagnosed more frequently than children under age 14.

Researchers hope that this study will assist in better understanding and tracking of childhood cancers.

Targeting stem cells suggests way to cure leukemia, mice study shows

Canadian scientists are investigating a novel way of treating a deadly form of leukemia: By targeting the stem cells that allow the cancer to return after chemotherapy has resulted in apparent remission.

Using an experimental drug, researchers at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto were able to cure some mice transplanted with the human form of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The discovery offers promise that the drug could have the same effect in humans with the disease.

Read more about this at the Source:  Yahoo News Canada

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Shorter Treatment for NHL

A new study has found that survival rates among elderly patients affected by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has increased by using a different treatment method.

The treatment involves cutting the standard chemotherapy time in half, but still using the same combination and doses of drugs and antibodies.

Dr Luke Coyle from Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital says the new, shorter burst of treatment has effective results.

"It's very exciting to have the scientific proof that you can do it better and you can treat patients in a shorter period of time, which will hopefully allow them to tolerate the procedure much better as well," he said.

"It's a very difficult thing in your life to have six months of therapy punctuated by regular hospital visits and hopefully this will perhaps be compressed into a much shorter period, perhaps three months."

He says the practice is now likely to be adopted in all Australian hospitals.

Source:  Yahoo News

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New agent causes leukemia cell death

I found this article about a method for inhibiting leukemia cells. 

A team of researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center has discovered an entirely new mechanism of action for a novel pharmacological agent currently in clinical trials in patients - the kinase inhibitor BAY 43-9006 - which was designed to disrupt the survival pathways of tumor cells....

"We were surprised to find that the killing effects of Bay 43-9006 in human leukemia cells had very little to do with inhibition of the Raf-1 pathway," Grant said. "Instead, the major mechanism of lethality of this compound involved down-regulation of a protein known as Mcl-1, which plays a critical role in protecting leukemic cells from apoptosis.

Source:  Medicalnewstoday.com

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Acute Myelocytic Treatment News

Found this link today on an AML treatment Genasense.  The company, Genta, released some information indicating that the drug appears to correlate with a particular molecule.  Read the article, but basically it means that they think that the Genasense does what it is designed to do when treating Acute Myelocytic Leukemia.

Source: RedNova Reports Show Correlations of Genasense(R) Levels With Target and Biomarker Effects in Patients With Acute Myelocytic Leukemia and Prostate Cancer

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Leukemia research (New Enzyme)

CHAPEL HILL -- Scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have identified an enzyme that helps trigger the development of leukemia, a cancer of blood cells.

The enzyme hDOT1L activates a set of genes that plays a key role in the rare and largely incurable acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This disease affects less than 2 percent of the estimated 16,000 individuals diagnosed with acute leukemia nationwide each year. The discovery, based on research using bone marrow cells from mice, offers a potential target for new drugs against this form of leukemia, the researchers said.

Source:  University of North Carolina Press Release

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New Drug for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia?

A number of our clients have CML as a result of benzene exposure.  Many of them are on Gleevec and they find it very helpful.

A new compound may offer an alternative treatment for people with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who are resistant to treatment with the drug Gleevec, according to two studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, in Anaheim, Calif.

Source:  Yahoo News

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