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
18 September 2025
1 in 4 leukaemia patients in England experiences an avoidable delay in diagnosis
A first of its kind study, commissioned by Leukaemia UK, has revealed that a quarter (26%) of leukaemia patients in England experience avoidable delays in their diagnosis, resulting in a…
4 September 2023
Less than 1% of Brits can identify all the most common symptoms of one of the deadliest types of cancer
New research launched today by Leukaemia Care and Leukaemia UK reveals that less than 1% (0.4%) of UK adults can accurately identify the four most common symptoms of leukaemia –…
3 February 2022
New analysis reveals the stark disparities in cancer rates between ethnic groups
The Cancer Research UK study demonstrates the importance of understanding the differences and inequalities in cancer and to highlight where improvements in survival, treatment and care can be made.
11 February 2021
Why I became a Leukaemia UK Trustee
Caroline Evans – Leukaemia UK Trustee and Projects Consultant – reflects on why she became a Trustee and what drives her in the role.