The Leukaemic Stem Cell research group, led by Ruth M. Risueño, has discovered in preclinical trials that a particular group of antihistamines can kill leukaemic stem cells.
The Leukaemic Stem Cell research group, led by Ruth M. Risueño, has discovered in preclinical trials that a particular group of antihistamines can kill leukaemic stem cells.
Ruth M. Risueño leads the Leukaemic Stem Cell group of the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute. This group investigates Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) and the cell population responsible for the disease spreading, persisting, and if it has been treated and overcome, reappear.
AML is one of leukaemia with the worst prognosis. Its treatment with chemotherapy refers from 50% to 85% and has a high rate of recidivism after treatment. Relapse in the disease may be because a small number of diseased stem cells have become resistant to treatment, being only a matter of time for these cells to spread again.
Leukaemic stem cells can be renewed or differentiated. They replicate themselves indefinitely to maintain their population. However, when they differentiate, they generate all the types of mature leukaemic cells found in the tumor. These adult cells, which are the majority in leukaemia, have lower prevalence, and are more sensitive to chemotherapy. Nevertheless, leukaemic stem cells are responsible for the initiation, maintenance, and regeneration of the disease. To die them, they can be killed, death induced or differentiation induced into mature cells.
Read more at: Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute
The group of Leukaemic Stem Cells of the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute. (Photo Credit: Ruth M. Risueño and Co.)
