
11 Jan 2019 Research
Leukaemia: Investigating stem cells to prevent cancer
What is this research looking at?
The development of effective treatments to prevent and eradicate leukaemia requires a better understanding of the mechanisms behind malignant (harmful) transformation and disease persistence during therapy.
Importantly, leukaemia development is associated with the acquisition of abnormal metabolic features, making cancer metabolism an attractive target for new therapeutic strategies.
Metabolism is closely associated to cell functions in normal and abnormal (malignant) tissues. By measuring metabolic heterogeneity in normal tissue (haemopoietic stem cells) and in cancer (leukaemia), I will determine whether distinct cell metabolic states are functionally connected to their potential for malignant transformation and therapy resistance.
I will test if malignant transformation and therapy resistance can be prevented or attenuated by targeting their metabolic dependencies. Results from the proposed research may lead to the development of new strategies for leukaemia eradication and prevention.
What could this mean for people with leukaemia?
This project investigates the metabolic features of stem cells in a bid to find out how to prevent them turning cancerous and to reduce resistance to treatment – this may lead to the development of new strategies for leukaemia eradication and prevention.
Related posts
14 March 2023
Percy & Nell says Pants to Leukaemia with bespoke charity collaboration
Independent clothing brand Percy & Nell has produced a unique range of sweatshirts, t-shirts, beanies and tote bags, with all profits going to Leukaemia UK. The collaboration comes off the…
12 December 2022
Widespread coverage of new leukaemia therapy shows promise in first trial patient
As you may have seen in the news over the weekend, a clinical trial investigating a new leukaemia treatment has shown promising results. As part of the trial, funded by…
31 October 2022
Leukaemia UK appoints new Director of Communications job share from Shelter to lead their ambitious strategy
Blood cancer research charity, Leukaemia UK, has hired Anna Wilson and Lizzie Afonso from housing and homelessness charity, Shelter, to job-share its new Communications Director role. This is the first…
5 December 2022
John Goldman Fellowships for 2023 now open
Leukaemia UK is delighted to announce that we are funding more ground-breaking research in 2023, by continuing our investment in early career scientists and clinicians for our prestigious John Goldman…