By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Researchers at Grand Rapids-based Van Andel Research Institute may have pinpointed the gene that causes myeloproliferative disease (MPD) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), two bone marrow cancers formerly known as pre-leukemia. The discovery could be a major step in helping physicians determine if a patient has the potential to develop acute leukemia.
About 30 percent of MDS patients can develop acute myeloid leukemia, while others can develop chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. A team headed by Doctor Art Alberts, senior scientific investigator, believes that the gene called Drf1 may be the cause.
"We focused on Drf1 because the human version of the gene is located in a specific genetic region associated with MDS and an increased likelihood of developing leukemias," Dr. Alberts says.
The team is also testing for interactions with other genes to see which might contribute to the development of leukemias.
"There are multiple defects that contribute to the development of the cancer," Dr. Alberts says.
It has taken the researchers ten years to get to this point. In the process of discovery, Dr. Alberts says they may have created the basis for developing leukemia-fighting drugs, but cautions that many years of additional testing are required before new treatments can be marketed.
Source: Dr. Art Alberts, Van Andel Research Institute
Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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