Tumor Suppressor Fuels Leukemia?

(Ivanhoe Newswire) – Researchers from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have discovered that blocking a protein normally credited with suppressing leukemia may be a promising therapeutic strategy for an aggressive form of the disease called acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
The protein scientists target was a transcription factor known as RUNX1, which also played an important role in helping regulate the normal development of blood cells. The researchers were surprised to discover that RUNX1 was supporting the growth of AML fueled by what are called fusion proteins.
The researchers showed that the AML cells were more sensitive than normal blood cells, indicating the inhibitor may be useful in the future as a therapy for patients with AML.
For more information, contact: http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/news/release/2013/aml-leukemia-research-08-27-2013/
SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Investigation, August 2013