January 15, 2008

reaction to new paper on discovery of leukaemia stem cells as published in Science

A study of identical twins, one of whom developed leukaemia while her sister did not, has revealed some of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of leukaemia and the role of leukaemic stem cells, potentially leading to new treatments in the future.

Dr Bruce Morland, Consultant Paediatric Oncologist, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Chairman Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group, said:

“This is an important study in developing a closer understanding of the key early mechanisms in the development of childhood leukaemia. The identification of the leukaemic stem cell has been one of the “Holy Grails” for cancer biologists and this study certainly brings us one step closer. By determining the characteristics of the leukaemic stem cell is it ultimately the hope of clinicians that therapies can be specifically targeted to the leukaemia thus sparing the patient from some of the significant side effects of conventional chemotherapy treatment.”