Limiting Leukemia — In the July 10 issue of Cell Stem Cell, Dr. Paul Frenette and colleagues offer new insights into how myeloid leukemia (AML), a cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow, develops. AML remodels bone marrow so that hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are replaced by leukemic cells, resulting in fewer mature blood cells produced. The research team found that AML muffles sympathetic nervous system (SNS) signaling in bone marrow, allowing leukemic cells to invade bone marrow more easily. The researchers believe that manipulating SNS signaling could be a potent way to stop AML from progressing and to protect HSCs. Lead author,Dr. Maher Hanoun is a postdoctoral fellow in the Frenette lab. Dr. Frenette is professor of medicine and of cell biology. He is also chair and director of The Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research.
Posted on: Friday, September 05, 2014