Researchers at Dartmouth's Norris Cotton Cancer Center have published results from a study in Cell Reports that discovers a new mechanism that distinguishes normal blood stem cells from blood cancers.
"These findings constitute a significant advance toward the goal of killing leukemia cells without harming the body's normal blood stem cells which are often damaged by chemotherapy," said Patricia Ernst, PhD, co-director of the Cancer Mechanisms Program of the Norris Cotton Cancer Center and an associate professor in Genetics at the Geisel School of Medicine.
The study focused on a pathway regulated by a gene called MLL1 (for Mixed Lineage Leukemia). Ernst served as principal investigator; Bibhu Mishra, PhD, as lead author.
When the MLL1 gene is damaged, it can cause leukemia, which is a cancer of the blood, often occurring in very young patients. Researchers found that the normal version of the gene controls many other genes in a manner that maintains the production of blood cells.
"This control becomes chaotic when the gene is damaged or 'broken' and that causes the normal blood cells to turn into leukemia," said Ernst.
The researchers showed that the normal gene acts with a partner gene called MOF that adds small "acetyl" chemical modification around the genes that it controls. The acetyl modification acts as a switch to turn genes on. When this function is disrupted, MLL1 cannot maintain normal blood stem cells.
The researchers also found that a gene called Sirtuin1 (more commonly known for controlling longevity) works against MLL1 to keep the proper amount of "acetyl" modifications on important stem cell genes. Blood cancers involving MLL1, in contrast, do not have this MOF-Sirtuin balance and place a different chemical modification on genes that result in leukemia.
Blood stem cells also represent an important therapy for patients whose own stem cells are destroyed by chemotherapy. This study also reveals a new way to treat blood stem cells from donors that would expand their numbers.
"These finding suggest that drugs that block Sirtuin1 may be combined with MLL1 blocking drugs in certain leukemia to both preserve stem cells that make normal blood at the same time as killing leukemia cells," said Ernst.
Story Source:
Follow this link:
Epigenetic mechanisms distinguishing stem cell function, blood cancer decoded
- International Stem Cell Corporation Provides Strategic Update on its Skin Care Program [Last Updated On: April 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Provides Strategic Update on its Skin Care Program [Last Updated On: April 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- CSC news roundup 2010-04-11 [Last Updated On: April 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- CSC news roundup 2010-04-11 [Last Updated On: April 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Engages Leading Immunogeneticists to Advance its Industry-first, Immune-matched Stem Cells [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Engages Leading Immunogeneticists to Advance its Industry-first, Immune-matched Stem Cells [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- MicroRNA therapy could be a powerful tool to correct the CSC dysregulation? [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- MicroRNA therapy could be a powerful tool to correct the CSC dysregulation? [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- CSC news links 2010-04-18 [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2010]
- CSC news links 2010-04-18 [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2010]
- Sessions on CSC Therapeutics at AACR10 [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2010]
- Sessions on CSC Therapeutics at AACR10 [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2010]
- CSC news links 2010-05-01 [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2010]
- More about presentations at AACR10 [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2010]
- More about presentations at AACR10 [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2010]
- CSC news links 2010-05-01 [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Signs Financing Agreement [Last Updated On: May 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Signs Financing Agreement [Last Updated On: May 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2010]
- CSC news links 2010-05-08 [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2010]
- CSC news links 2010-05-08 [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell and Absorption Systems Confirm Results Showing Stem Cell Derived Corneal Tissue as an Alternative to Animals for Drug Testing [Last Updated On: May 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 12th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell and Absorption Systems Confirm Results Showing Stem Cell Derived Corneal Tissue as an Alternative to Animals for Drug Testing [Last Updated On: May 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 12th, 2010]
- Generic drug a potential treatment for glioblastoma? [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2010]
- Generic drug a potential treatment for glioblastoma? [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2010]
- US Patent: Isolation and use of solid tumor stem cells [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2010]
- US Patent: Isolation and use of solid tumor stem cells [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation and The Automation Partnership Enter into Strategic Alliance to Automate Cornea Tissue Production [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation and The Automation Partnership Enter into Strategic Alliance to Automate Cornea Tissue Production [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2010]
- An evolving concept of CSC in tumor biology [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2010]
- An evolving concept of CSC in tumor biology [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Moves International Cornea Development Program Forward [Last Updated On: May 26th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 26th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Moves International Cornea Development Program Forward [Last Updated On: May 26th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 26th, 2010]
- Phase I clinical trial of ICT-107 [Last Updated On: June 3rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 3rd, 2010]
- Phase I clinical trial of ICT-107 [Last Updated On: June 3rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 3rd, 2010]
- CSCs responsible for metastasis identified [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2010]
- CSCs responsible for metastasis identified [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation's Parthenogenetic Stem Cell Patent is Approved by the United States Patent and Trademark Office [Last Updated On: June 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 9th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation's Parthenogenetic Stem Cell Patent is Approved by the United States Patent and Trademark Office [Last Updated On: June 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 9th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Announces Company Update Conference Call. ISCO Chairman Kenneth Aldrich to Discuss 'Status of the Company' [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Announces Company Update Conference Call. ISCO Chairman Kenneth Aldrich to Discuss 'Status of the Company' [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2010]
- Decitabine may target ovarian CSCs? [Last Updated On: June 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 14th, 2010]
- Decitabine may target ovarian CSCs? [Last Updated On: June 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 14th, 2010]
- New Article from North County Times - BIOTECH: International Stem Cell Clears Debt, Gets Patent [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2010]
- New Article from North County Times - BIOTECH: International Stem Cell Clears Debt, Gets Patent [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2010]
- Patent application: Levels of Oct1 as a method of identifying CSCs [Last Updated On: June 18th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2010]
- Patent application: Levels of Oct1 as a method of identifying CSCs [Last Updated On: June 18th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2010]
- OncoMed Has 'Wnt' in its Sails [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2010]
- OncoMed Has 'Wnt' in its Sails [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Names Charles J. Casamento to Board of Directors [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Names Charles J. Casamento to Board of Directors [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO.OB) Announces New Patent Issuance Under License Agreement [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO.OB) Announces New Patent Issuance Under License Agreement [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2010]
- California Health Institute Interviews Jeffrey Janus - CEO of Lifeline Cell Technology [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2010]
- California Health Institute Interviews Jeffrey Janus - CEO of Lifeline Cell Technology [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation - Excerpt from Agora Financial's Breakthrough Technology Alert by Patrick Cox [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation - Excerpt from Agora Financial's Breakthrough Technology Alert by Patrick Cox [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2010]
- Melanoma-initiating cells identified [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2010]
- Melanoma-initiating cells identified [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation and Sankara Nethralaya Launch Collaboration to Develop Stem Cell-Based Treatment for Corneal Vision Impairment [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation and Sankara Nethralaya Launch Collaboration to Develop Stem Cell-Based Treatment for Corneal Vision Impairment [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2010]
- Two recent OA articles [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2010]
- Two recent OA articles [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2010]
- Innovative Researcher Vlog [Last Updated On: July 16th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 16th, 2010]
- Innovative Researcher Vlog [Last Updated On: July 16th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 16th, 2010]
- More about salinomycin [Last Updated On: July 19th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 19th, 2010]
- More about salinomycin [Last Updated On: July 19th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 19th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Plans $10 Million Financing Through European Subsidiary [Last Updated On: July 23rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 23rd, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Plans $10 Million Financing Through European Subsidiary [Last Updated On: July 23rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 23rd, 2010]
- Irradiating brain's stem cell niche [Last Updated On: July 26th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 26th, 2010]
- Irradiating brain's stem cell niche [Last Updated On: July 26th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 26th, 2010]
- Prostate CSCs sensitive to gamma-tocotrienol? [Last Updated On: July 27th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 27th, 2010]
- Prostate CSCs sensitive to gamma-tocotrienol? [Last Updated On: July 27th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 27th, 2010]
- Researchers Study CSCs as Therapeutic Targets for Mesothelioma [Last Updated On: July 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 28th, 2010]
- Researchers Study CSCs as Therapeutic Targets for Mesothelioma [Last Updated On: July 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 28th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation and Sristi Biosciences Enter Distribution Agreement for Lifeline Cell Technology's Brand of Human Cell Culture... [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2010]
- Disagreement about melanoma CSCs [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation and Sristi Biosciences Enter Distribution Agreement for Lifeline Cell Technology's Brand of Human Cell Culture... [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2010]
- Disagreement about melanoma CSCs [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2010]
- Cell of origin for human prostate cancer [Last Updated On: August 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 1st, 2010]
- Cell of origin for human prostate cancer [Last Updated On: August 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 1st, 2010]