Mechanism and clinical progression of solid tumors bone marrow metastasis

Leukemia News

July 10, 2024 — CAR-T cell therapy helps some with intractable lymphoma, but those who relapse have few options. Modifying the therapy's molecular target improved ...

June 12, 2024 — Researchers use epigenetic clock, DNA methylation and mouse model to demonstrate that T cell proliferation can stretch past organism lifespan and acuta lymphoblastic leukemia T cells appear hundreds ...

May 17, 2024 — People who use metformin are less likely to develop a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) over time, indicating that the treatment may help prevent the development of certain types of cancers, ...

May 13, 2024 — A study points to the possibility that thalidomide derivatives are potentially suitable for treating cancer. Thalidomide was marketed in the 1950s as a sleeping pill. It later gained sad notoriety ...

May 8, 2024 — Investigators discovered that a subset of myeloid and lymphoid leukemias depend on a molecular complex called PI3Kgamma for survival. The study provides both mechanistic and preclinical evidence ...

Apr. 9, 2024 — Relapses in a common form of leukemia may be preventable following new research that has identified how the cancer develops resistance to first line ...

Apr. 8, 2024 — Scientists discovered which tumor cells resist treatment and why. By characterizing B-cells' developmental stages, they designed and tested a drug combination to effectively treat resistant ...

Mar. 25, 2024 — New research has found that venetoclax, a medication currently approved for leukemia, has benefits for patients with multiple myeloma when used in combination with another drug. This discovery offers ...

Mar. 21, 2024 — Researchers have discovered that a specific mutation in the cancer cells of an aggressive type of blood cancer can prevent novel immunotherapies such as CAR T-cell therapy from working. Their study ...

Mar. 20, 2024 — Imagine being able to count the different types of blood cells being formed inside the tiny bones of a mouse and pinpointing the strings and clusters of cells within the bone marrow that are ...

Feb. 8, 2024 — For some leukemia patients, their only treatment option carries a risk of heart ...

Jan. 31, 2024 — Treatment with a molecule known as A485 can quickly and temporarily increase levels of white blood cells, a critical part of the body's immune system, an effect that is difficult to deliver with ...

Jan. 26, 2024 — Researchers describe how specific gene activity could potentially enhance immune cell production. The researchers wanted to understand the mechanism of why some hematopoietic stem cells produce more ...

Jan. 13, 2024 — Using CRISPR/Cas9, scientists identified RBM5 as a vital component of leukemia cell fitness, making it a promising target for drug ...

Jan. 13, 2024 — Researchers have identified a novel pharmaceutical compound that successfully kills leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells, potentially paving the way for new forms of ...

Jan. 9, 2024 — Decisions on treatment for leukemia patients are based, among other things, on a series of certain genetic features of the disease. IT specialists and physicians have now shown how a method based on ...

Jan. 9, 2024 — Researchers used various sequencing technologies to explore the molecular characteristics of myeloid/natural killer cell precursor acute leukemia (MNKPL). They observed activation of the NOTCH1 and ...

Dec. 10, 2023 — Leukaemia trial shows 'exceptional' results. Personalized treatment for the most common form of adult leukemia helps patients survive for longer and stay in remission, a phase III trial has ...

Dec. 4, 2023 — To speed up their growth, leukemia cells typically activate the recycling of cellular structures -- enabling them to dispose of defective components and better supply themselves with building ...

Nov. 22, 2023 — Leukemia is the most common type of cancer in children. Treatment involves intensive chemotherapy, which has severe side effects due to its non-specific mode of action. A team has now discovered a ...

Disease-Burden-Adapted Treatment Protocols Effective For Pediatric ALL

Using a disease-burden-adapted immunotherapy protocol can be effective for the treatment of primary refractory or high-risk relapsed pediatric patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), according to a study published in HemaSphere.

The retrospective study utilized blinatumomab (Blina) for patients categorized as having low-burden CD19+ disease and used inotuzumab ozogamicin (InO), followed by Blina for patients with high-burden CD22+ CD19+ disease. High-burden disease was based on a minimal residual disease (MRD) of greater than 5%, while low-burden disease was categorized based on an MRD less than or equal to 5%.

Using the disease-burden adapted immunotherapy protocol, 18 out of the 19 patients (95%) achieved negative-MRD status. All 12 patients in the study with low-burden who received Blina achieved MRD-negative remission after the first cycle of treatment.

Of the 7 high-burden patients, 6 responded to InO , with 3 becoming MRD-negative and the other 3 achieving a good response. All 6 patients received subsequent consolidation with Blina and achieved MRD-negative status. Only 1 patient did not respond to InO, and their disease progressed, leading to palliative care. Following immunotherapy, 16 (84%) of the patients received allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), including 6 from the high-burden group. 

"The disease-burden-adapted protocol is a promising strategy for treating r/r pediatric B-ALL as a bridging regimen before HCT," the authors wrote.

"While the analysis is retrospective, its findings highlight the efficacy and safety of this strategy allowing a greater number of patients to reach potentially curative HCT," the authors continued.

Subgroup analysis of the 11 patients in the adapted protocol group with high-risk relapsed leukemia found that 9 patients were disease-free at a median follow-up of 317 days. In comparison, only 1 patient from a group of 20 patients with high-risk relapsed leukemia who did not receive the adapted protocol was disease-free, with a median survival of 93 days.

Half of the patients who received Blina developed mild cytokine release syndrome (CRS) while 2 experienced grade 1 neurotoxicity that recovered after discontinuation of Blina. Grade 1 CRS was observed in 1 patient while being treated with InO. A total of 4 patients from the immunotherapy group died during the study, including 1 from disease progression while on InO, 1 from from post-HCT CD19-negative relapse, and 2 from transplant-related mortality.

A total of 19 patients with either primary refractory (n=8) or high-risk relapsed B-ALL (r/r B-ALL) were treated with the modified protocol between May 2021 and August 2023 during the retrospective study. The median age of patients was 12 years with over two-thirds of the patients being greater than or equal to 10 years of age.

This article originally appeared on Rare Disease Advisor

Everything You Need To Know About Leukemia Bruises

Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow, where the blood cells are produced. People with leukemia have many abnormal white blood cells (leukocytes) in their blood. According to the National Cancer Institute, about 1.5% of people will be diagnosed with leukemia during their lives. 

Leukemia bruises may look like large bruises or tiny dots on the skin. A person with leukemia has a high number of cancer cells, which crowd out healthy blood cells. Fewer platelets result, increasing the risk of bleeding and bruising.

Other common leukemia symptoms include fatigue, frequent infections, and bleeding. Certain types of leukemia also cause fever, night sweats, and unintentional weight loss.

Leukemia causes several skin symptoms, including bruises. The bruises may appear large and dark (ecchymoses) or like tiny red or purple dots (petechiae). People with lighter skin tones may have small red dots, while people with darker skin tones may have small purple dots. Petechiae may be harder to see on darker skin tones.  People with leukemia bruise very easily. A small bump may lead to a large bruise. You may notice tiny red or purple dots on your skin without any injury or known cause.  Petechiae are caused by broken blood vessels called capillaries. This type of bruise often occurs in body areas where blood may collect. Common areas include the feet, legs, hands, and arms.  DermNet Leukemia causes bruises because the cancer cells outnumber healthy platelet cells in the blood. Platelets are disc-shaped blood cells that help with blood clotting. A low number of healthy platelet cells increases the risk of bleeding and bruising. Leukemia causes the bone marrow to produce abnormal blood cells. This causes the following: Most people with leukemia experience increased bruising and bleeding. The most common types of leukemia include: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML): More than 20% of cells are blasts (immature and dysfunctional), and symptoms develop more quickly. AML is the most aggressive type. Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML): Less than 20% of cells are blasts, and symptoms develop more slowly. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL): B and T cells (white blood cells central to immunity) develop into blasts. ALL is the most common childhood leukemia, making up 80% of cases. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): Treatment is likely not required until symptoms develop. CLL typically occurs in people 60-70 years old. Leukemia treatments may also cause bruising. Chemotherapy and targeted therapy are cancer treatments that lower the number of platelets in the body.  An oncologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer. Your oncologist and medical team will talk with you about how to treat your leukemia bruises if needed.  To lower the risk of bleeding, your provider will likely recommend you stop any medications that further lower your platelet count. This includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin and Advil (ibuprofen).  If your platelet count becomes dangerously low, your provider may recommend a platelet transfusion to replace healthy platelets in your blood.  Normal bruises usually heal after 1-2 weeks. Leukemia bruises may last longer because the body is not able to clot the blood. Consider using an ice pack to stop bleeding. You can manage and even prevent some leukemia bruising. Try to move gently throughout your day and be mindful of avoiding injuries. Ask your provider if it is safe for you to play sports.  Low platelets also raise the risk of serious bleeding. Take the following precautions to lower your risk of bleeding: Brush your teeth gently with a soft toothbrush  Wear shoes throughout the day Handle sharp objects very carefully Use an electric shaver instead of a razor  Use lotion and lip balm to prevent dry skin Drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated  People with leukemia may experience several skin symptoms due to a lack of healthy platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells.  In addition to bleeding and bruising, leukemia skin symptoms may include: Mouth sores: This common symptom is caused by anemia and may be an early sign of AML. Cancer treatments like chemotherapy may also cause mouth sores.  Color changes: People with leukemia may have dark-colored rashes or appear very pale due to anemia. People with darker skin tones may have mucous membranes that appear gray or blue. Bacterial and viral infections: People with leukemia lack healthy white blood cells that usually fight infection. They are at higher risk of hair follicle infections, known as folliculitis.  Fungal infections: People with leukemia are at an increased risk of fungal skin infections like ringworm (an itchy, circular rash). They may also experience nail infections that cause color changes and weak, brittle nails that fall off.  Vasculitis: Leukemia may cause small blood vessel inflammation. This often appears as purple or darker areas on the skin.  Low platelet levels cause bruising and bleeding. Call your healthcare provider if your bruising or bleeding worsens or does not improve, or if you notice any of the following symptoms: Bleeding that does not stop after a few minutes Vomiting blood Pink or red urine Black or bloody poop (stool) Heavier period (menstrual) bleeding Vision changes Dizziness Headaches Confusion Fatigue  Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that starts in the bone marrow. As leukemia grows and spreads, the cancer cells begin to replace the healthy blood cells. This leads to a reduction in platelets, the blood cells that help to clot the blood. A lack of healthy platelets raises the risk of bleeding and bruising.  People with leukemia may experience large, dark bruises or tiny purple or red dots. These tiny dots are called petechiae and occur when small blood vessels called capillaries break. Petechiae often occur in the feet, legs, hands, and arms.  Other common leukemia symptoms include fatigue, frequent infections, fever, night sweats, and unintentional weight loss. While most normal bruises heal after a week or two, leukemia bruises may last longer.  Talk with your healthcare provider if you notice that you are suddenly bruising or bleeding very easily. Your provider can order a blood test to check the number of platelets in your blood. 

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