(Press-News.org) Contact information: Kim Polacek
kim.polacek@moffitt.org
813-745-7408
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
Moffitt researchers discover mechanism controlling the development of myelodysplastic
Targeting the novel mechanism may lead to treatment options for people with certain blood cancers
Researchers at the Moffitt Cancer Center have discovered a control mechanism that can trigger the development of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a group of blood cancers. This finding may lead to therapies capable of preventing the progression of these diseases.
MDS primarily affects older individuals, with approximately 12,000 new cases diagnosed each year. In MDS, a person's blood is not able to make one or more types of healthy blood cells — red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets. Instead, the patient has a high number of immature stem cells that do not develop properly. This can lead to anemia and a higher risk of infection and bleeding. MDS patients also have an increased risk of developing leukemia. Unfortunately, there is no effective therapy for MDS and scientists do not have a clear answer on how MDS develops.
In their translational study, Moffitt clinical and basic science researchers found that MDS patients have a higher number of suppressor cells in their bone marrow. These suppressor cells promote inflammation and prevent blood stem cells from developing properly. Inflammation is known to be involved in the development of different types of cancer.
"We discovered that two different molecules, S100A9 and CD33, in the myeloid-derived suppressor cells bound to one another to promote inflammation leading to the development of MDS," said Sheng Wei, M.D., associate member of Moffitt's Immunology Program.
These researchers created a mouse model of human MDS based on their discovery. They used the model to show that by targeting the myeloid-derived suppressor cells and blocking the CD33 molecule's ability to communicate, blood cells were able to develop normally.
"Our findings suggests small molecular drugs targeting the S100A9 and CD33 molecule's signaling pathways can be developed to make myeloid-derived suppressor cells inactive," noted Wei. "Now we are collaborating with a pharmaceutical company to develop a phase I trial targeting this pathway on humanized monoclonal antibodies, which are mice antibodies that have been modified to be similar to human antibodies."
The researcher added that the results from this study may have an impact on more than just MDS patients because higher levels of myeloid-derived suppressor cells are found with several other types of cancer.
###
The study appeared in the Nov. issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation. The work was supported by grants from the National Institute of Health (R01CA131076, R01CA100062, AI056213, and CA115308); the US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (DAMD17-02-2-0051); the National Cancer Institute (P30-CA076292); and the Moffitt Foundation.
About Moffitt Cancer Center
Located in Tampa, Moffitt is one of only 41 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, a distinction that recognizes Moffitt's excellence in research, its contributions to clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. Moffitt is the No. 1 cancer hospital in Florida and has been listed in U.S. News & World Report as one of "America's Best Hospitals" for cancer since 1999. With more than 4,200 employees, Moffitt has an economic impact on the state of nearly $2 billion. For more information, visit MOFFITT.org, and follow the Moffitt momentum on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Moffitt researchers discover mechanism controlling the development of myelodysplastic
Targeting the novel mechanism may lead to treatment options for people with certain blood cancers
2013-12-17
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
American Chemical Society podcast: Detecting radioactive material in nuclear waste water
2013-12-17
American Chemical Society podcast: Detecting radioactive material in nuclear waste water
The latest episode in the American Chemical Society's (ACS') award-winning Global Challenges/Chemistry Solutions podcast series features a new design for a highly sensitive ...
Home-making post-disaster
2013-12-17
Home-making post-disaster
Trauma of forced displacement alleviated by house-beautification
This news release is available in French. Montreal, December 17, 2013 — From the Holocaust to the Cambodian Civil War to the Somali refugee crisis, the ...
New system of assessments needed when next generation science standards are implemented, report says
2013-12-17
New system of assessments needed when next generation science standards are implemented, report says
WASHINGTON – New types of assessments will be needed to measure student learning once the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are implemented, says a new report ...
Changes in proteins may predict ALS progression
2013-12-17
Changes in proteins may predict ALS progression
Measuring changes in certain proteins -- called biomarkers -- in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis may better predict the progression of the disease, according to scientists at Penn State College of Medicine.
ALS is ...
Rainforest rodents risk their lives to eat
2013-12-17
Rainforest rodents risk their lives to eat
Hungry rodents that wake up early are much more likely to be eaten than rodents getting plenty of food and shut-eye, according to new results from a study at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama. ...
Researchers explain why some wound infections become chronic
2013-12-17
Researchers explain why some wound infections become chronic
UC Riverside's Manuela Martins-Green shows how decreasing levels of 'reactive oxygen species' can break cycle of unhealing wounds
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Chronic wounds affect an estimated 6.5 million ...
Poor health of Irish immigrants in England may be linked to childhood abuse, study finds
2013-12-17
Poor health of Irish immigrants in England may be linked to childhood abuse, study finds
The generally poor health of Irish immigrants to England during most of the 20th century was not caused primarily by difficulties of assimilation or tensions between the two nations, but ...
New research: Economic impact of oil and natural gas in West Texas
2013-12-17
New research: Economic impact of oil and natural gas in West Texas
Region generated more than $14.5 billion in revenue for West Texas in 2012
San Antonio (Dec. 16, 2013) – Development of oil and natural gas in a 16-county region of West Texas added ...
Overspent this Christmas? Blame the ostrich problem!
2013-12-17
Overspent this Christmas? Blame the ostrich problem!
It's the festive season, time for eating, drinking and being merry, and any thoughts of reaching goals like losing weight or keeping on top of finances go out of the window.
And now a team of psychologists ...
UCLA study challenges long-held hypothesis that iron promotes atherosclerosis
2013-12-17
UCLA study challenges long-held hypothesis that iron promotes atherosclerosis
A UCLA research team has found no evidence of an association between iron levels in the body and the risk of atherosclerosis, the hardening and ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Thirty-year mystery of dissonance in the “ringing” of black holes explained
Less intensive works best for agricultural soil
Arctic rivers project receives “national champion” designation from frontiers foundation
Computational biology paves the way for new ALS tests
Study offers new hope for babies born with opioid withdrawal syndrome
UT, Volkswagen Group of America celebrate research partnership
New Medicare program could dramatically improve affordability for cancer drugs – if patients enroll
Are ‘zombie’ skin cells harmful or helpful? The answer may be in their shapes
University of Cincinnati Cancer Center presents research at AACR 2025
Head and neck, breast, lung and survivorship studies headline Dana-Farber research at AACR Annual Meeting 2025
AACR: Researchers share promising results from MD Anderson clinical trials
New research explains why our waistlines expand in middle age
Advancements in muon detection: Taishan Antineutrino Observatory's innovative top veto tracker
Chips off the old block
Microvascular decompression combined with nerve combing for atypical trigeminal neuralgia
Cutting the complexity from digital carpentry
Lung immune cell type “quietly” controls inflammation in COVID-19
Fiscal impact of expanded Medicare coverage for GLP-1 receptor agonists to treat obesity
State and sociodemographic trends in US cigarette smoking with future projections
Young adults drive historic decline in smoking
NFCR congratulates Dr. Robert C. Bast, Jr. on receiving the AACR-Daniel D. Von Hoff Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education and Training in Cancer Research
Chimpanzee stem cells offer new insights into early embryonic development
This injected protein-like polymer helps tissues heal after a heart attack
FlexTech inaugural issue launches, pioneering interdisciplinary innovation in flexible technology
In Down syndrome mice, 40Hz light and sound improve cognition, neurogenesis, connectivity
Methyl eugenol: potential to inhibit oxidative stress, address related diseases, and its toxicological effects
A vascularized multilayer chip reveals shear stress-induced angiogenesis in diverse fluid conditions
AI helps unravel a cause of Alzheimer's disease and identify a therapeutic candidate
Coalition of Autism Scientists critiques US Department of Health and Human Services Autism Research Initiative
Structure dictates effectiveness, safety in nanomedicine
[Press-News.org] Moffitt researchers discover mechanism controlling the development of myelodysplasticTargeting the novel mechanism may lead to treatment options for people with certain blood cancers