Deakin University Discovery Could Lead To New Leukaemia Treatments

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BlankDeakin University Discovery Could Lead To New Leukaemia Treatments

10 Nov 2006

Deakin University scientists have identified a protein that could hold the key

to new leukaemia treatments.

The protein--Stat5--was investigated at a laboratory at Deakin's Melbourne

Campus at Burwood, as part of a multicentre international collaboration.

Leukaemia is a cancer caused by a proliferation of white blood cells. To

understand and help prevent the disease, the Deakin researchers are looking for

the responsible genes.

Head of the Deakin team, Associate Professor Alister Ward, said the discovery of

how the protein acts provides a breakthrough in understanding the onset of

leukaemia.

" We have found that Stat5 is responsible for making white blood cells overgrow

in a particular disease setting that often precedes leukaemia, " Associate

Professor Ward explained.

" On top of this, we have also found that Stat5, when activated, is sufficient on

its own to cause white blood cells to overgrow inside a whole organism.

" Together, these findings identify Stat5 as a major player in the process of

leukaemia progression and is therefore a worthwhile target for intervention. "

Associate Professor Ward said the next step in this research was to utilise the

model systems established to develop new therapeutics.

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Contact: Mandi O'Garretty

Research Australia

Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=56092