A gene mutation in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is responsible for half of the hitherto unexplained cases of this leukemia. A mutation of the gene for the enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (IDH) increases the concentration of the metabolite 2-hydroxy (2HG), causing the AML. These relationships, researchers at Craig Thompson of the University of Pennsylvania. They published their findings in the current issue of the journal Cancer Cell (10.1016/j.ccr.2010.01.020).
"The molecular biology of leukemia has been studied in the past 20 years, and we thought that we are the most common genes for leukemia found would have, "said Thompson. is now clear that a new type of mutation was responsible for half of the remaining leukemia, for which the cause was unknown until now. These mutations also occur in about one-third of leukemia in older patients.
By Scientists tissue samples from patients with acute myeloid leukemia investigated, they found that AML patients have an increased concentration of 2HG. The increased concentrations of 2HG originate from a change in a metabolic of two enzymes, IDH1 or IDH2.
* Abstract http://www.cell.com/cancer-cell/abstract/S1535-6108% 2810% 2900036-X
* University of Pennsylvania http://www.med.upenn.edu/
The researchers discovered that IDH1 and IDH2 changes were observed in more than 23 percent of AML patients studied. A common feature of tumor-associated IDH mutations is the increased production of 2HG. The scientists explain the connection between the increased 2HG concentration and the occurrence of AML in that an increased concentration 2HG could potentially block the ability of leukemic cells to transform into normal blood cells.
"If we are able to block tumors in the 2HG-production, we might in der Lage, die Leukämie der Patienten zu heilen", sagte Thompson.
© hil/ aerzteblatt.de
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