The mechanism under leukemia’s resistance to chemotherapy has been identified. This discovery may enhance chemotherapy's efficiency against leukemia.
Highlights:
The mechanism through which certain types of leukemia resist chemotherapy has been identified by recent research at the Instituto de Medicina Molecular (iMM) João Lobo Antunes.
The culprit in chemotherapy resistance- Resistance to chemotherapy may be caused by vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) signaling.
- Resistance to chemotherapy is common in leukemia.
- The discovery of this underlying mechanism may help enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy.
In patients with acute myeloid leukemia, cancer cells resist the effects of chemotherapy, many times resulting in disease recurrence and ultimately death.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia - Incidence Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Prognosis
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the cancer of white blood cells characterized by excess lymphoblasts. It is the most common of all childhood cancers and can be fatal in weeks if left untreated.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the cancer of white blood cells characterized by excess lymphoblasts. It is the most common of all childhood cancers and can be fatal in weeks if left untreated.
‘The discovery of the mechanism under resistance to chemotherapy in leukemia reveals novel molecular targets that may be used to improve the efficiency of this type of treatment.’
The team, led by Sérgio Dias, had previously shown that leukemic cells activate certain molecular signals, namely a cell signaling pathway controlled by the Endothelial Vascular Growth Factor (VEGF), which allow cancer cells to survive despite chemotherapy. The work revealed that a metabolic alteration at the mitochondrial level derived from VEGF's action is involved in chemotherapy resistance. By creating an experimental model of leukemia in mice whose cancer cells were resistant to chemotherapy the team was able to characterize these cells' metabolic profile and observed certain modifications at the level of the mitochondria.
Overcoming resistance to chemotherapy drugs
Using drugs that specifically blocked VEGF's activation, it was possible to revert these mitochondrial modifications and render these cells vulnerable to chemotherapy.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia-Causes-Symptoms-Diagnosis-Treatment-Prognosis-FAQs
Acute myeloid Leukemia, more popularly known by its abbreviated form AML, is a fast- evolving leukemia that affects both children and adults alike
Acute myeloid Leukemia, more popularly known by its abbreviated form AML, is a fast- evolving leukemia that affects both children and adults alike
These newly discovered molecular targets will allow the development of therapeutic strategies that may be explored as possible routes to eliminate leukemic cells' resistance to chemotherapy.
Advertisement
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is one of the most common types of adult leukemia and is considered as one of the ‘good cancers’.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is one of the most common types of adult leukemia and is considered as one of the ‘good cancers’.
- Sandrina Nóbrega-Pereira, Francisco Caiado et al. VEGFR-2-Mediated Reprogramming of Mitochondrial Metabolism Regulates the Sensitivity of Acute Myeloid Leukemia to Chemotherapy, Cancer Research DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-17-1166
Source-Eurekalert
Chemotherapy - History, Principles, Aim, Types, Side Effcts, Pros & Cons
'Chemo' means medicine or 'drug', 'therapy' means 'treatment'. Chemotherapy refers to the use of cytotoxic drugs in the treatment of cancer.
'Chemo' means medicine or 'drug', 'therapy' means 'treatment'. Chemotherapy refers to the use of cytotoxic drugs in the treatment of cancer.
