We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Early and Accurate Prediction of Leukemia Made Possible

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 25 Jan 2016
Print article
Image: Bone marrow aspirate of acute myeloid leukemia: Azurophilic granularity can be seen in essentially all of the blasts and variability in nuclear size and contour is observable (Photo courtesy of Dr. John Lazarchick, MD).
Image: Bone marrow aspirate of acute myeloid leukemia: Azurophilic granularity can be seen in essentially all of the blasts and variability in nuclear size and contour is observable (Photo courtesy of Dr. John Lazarchick, MD).
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common type of leukemia in adults and recent studies demonstrate that early and accurate prediction of this aggressive cancer is possible how it will develop in individuals.

Scientists have been able to fingerprint myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a state for blood cells that turns into AML cancer in approximately 30% of patients. The study demonstrates that early and accurate prediction of this aggressive cancer is possible.

Scientists at McMaster University (Hamilton, ON, Canada) collaborated with those at the University of Bologna (Italy) to perform a retrospective study on human blood samples that had been previously collected from patients with MDS, some of whom eventually developed AML. Gene expression analysis of patient blood samples was accurate in predicting which patients would develop AML and which would not.

The study revealed that removal of glycogen synthase kinase-3α (GSK-3α) and GSK-3β dependency leads to aggressive AML. Although GSK-3α deletion alone has no effect, GSK-3β deletion in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) resulted in a pre-neoplastic state consistent with human myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs). Transcriptome and functional studies reveal that each GSK-3β and GSK-3α uniquely contributes to AML by affecting Wnt/Akt/mTOR signaling and metabolism, respectively. The molecular signature of HSCs deleted for GSK-3β provided a prognostic tool for disease progression and survival of MDS patients. The study revealed that GSK-3α- and GSK-3β-regulated pathways can be responsible for stepwise transition to MDS and subsequent AML, thereby providing potential therapeutic targets of disease evolution.

Mickie Bhatia, PhD, a professor and lead investigator, said, “This discovery improves our ability to identify which patients with MDS will develop AML. However, our next step is to go beyond better predictive measures for the development of a blood cancer, and use this predictive gene expression as a target for drugs to prevent AML from developing altogether. This will be part of a new era of genetic-based drug discovery.” The study was published on January 11, 2016, in the journal Cancer Cell.

Related Links:

McMaster University
University of Bologna 


Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Specimen Collection & Transport
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
Gold Member
Real-time PCR System
GentierX3 Series

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The study showed the blood-based cancer screening test detects 83% of people with colorectal cancer with specificity of 90% (Photo courtesy of Guardant Health)

Blood Test Shows 83% Accuracy for Detecting Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths among adults in the U.S., with forecasts suggesting 53,010 people might die from it in 2024. While fewer older adults are dying from this... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The new platform is designed to perform blood-based diagnoses of nontuberculosis mycobacteria (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New Blood Test Cuts Diagnosis Time for Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections from Months to Hours

Breathing in nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is a common experience for many people. These bacteria are present in water systems, soil, and dust all over the world and usually don't cause any problems.... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: These new assays are being developed for use on the recently introduced DxI 9000 Immunoassay Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter)

Beckman Coulter and Fujirebio Expand Partnership on Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnostics

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Brea, CA, USA) and Fujirebio Diagnostics (Tokyo, Japan) have expanded their partnership focused on the development, manufacturing and clinical adoption of neurodegenerative... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.