An expert group Molecular Immunology Group at the University of Granada (UGR) is checking the effectiveness of a combination of drugs and substances produced by the body that act against the cells affected by leukemia, without causing adverse effects on healthy cells.

In a statement, Andalucia Innova indicated that this combined treatment comprises both the body’s own substances (endogenous) and exogenous.

Cancer is characterized by a malfunction of the cells, and proliferate in an uncontrolled way and “do not die when they should,” which is due to alterations in the genes that regulate growth and cell death.

In this regard, the researchers from Granada are focusing their efforts in studying internal dysfunctions and the search for drugs to restore normal function. The team uses substances that reverse these modifications, for the cell to properly regulate and stop proliferating.

In addition, these drugs, called inhibitors of DNA methylation, provoke the cell death (apoptosis) affected by cancer. “These inhibitors, by themselves, induce apoptosis in leukemia cells and also selectively without harming normal cells. This allows us to develop new drugs that do not exert any toxicity to the body,” explained project leader Maria del Carmen Ruiz.

Moreover, experts combine inhibitors of epigenetic modifications, called histone deacetylase inhibitors, with a molecule called Trail, which the body produces naturally and is expressed in certain immune system cells, which also causes the selective death of tumor cells without being affected normal.

“We added this molecule with synthetic inhibitors and found that the combination of both substances induces cell death and thus improves the antitumor effect,” said Ruiz, who added that they are testing different methods of administering Trail, either through exogenous addition or increasing production by cells of the body itself.

For now, researchers are using these substances in the laboratory cell cultures and blood samples of patients suffering from leukemia. However, the project leader said “the high selectivity of this combination of drugs to tumor cells makes it very attractive for future application in the treatment of cancer.”

The work involves a study of the National Plan, financed by the Carlos III Health Institute with a budget of EUR 148 830.

A new molecular tool could become a therapeutic option for acute myeloid leukemia.

According to a study published in the latest issue of Cell Stem Cell, preclinical studies conducted by a team from Children Cancer Institute Australia have demonstrated that CD123 molecule is over expressed in leukemia stem cells, whereas its expression in healthy cells is normal.

This molecule is part of the interleukin-3 receptor, a protein that interacts with a growth factor linked to survival and cell proliferation.

The creation of a monoclonal antibody that binds to CD 123 for attempting to interfere selectively in the survival of leukemia stem cells is the main innovation offered by the work coordinated by Richard Lock.

When tumor stem cells were transplanted into mice treated with the antibody, known as 7G3, cytokine signaling in cancer cells was blocked.

In addition, 7G3 inhibited the migration of leukemia stem cells in the marrow and activated the innate immune system of animals to destroy diseased cells.