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We’re thrilled to share the publication of our latest research in Nature Communications, titled “Leukemic stem cells activate lineage inappropriate signalling pathways to promote their growth.” In this study, we investigate how acute myeloid leukaemia stem cells, specifically those with the t(8;21) mutation, exploit abnormal VEGF and IL-5 signalling to drive their growth. Repurposed monoclonal antibodies against these targets showed efficacy in vitro and in vivo and may offer a new way to hit the leukaemic stem cells in these patients. This study was a collaborative effort together with researchers at Newcastle University and Princess Maxima Centre for Pediatric Oncology in the Netherlands led by Dr Sophie Kellaway and Professor Constanze Bonifer.

Read more here:

Leukemic stem cells activate lineage inappropriate signalling pathways to promote their growth – Nature Communications

In Acute Myeloid Leukemia a population of quiescent leukemic stem cells (LSCs) evade chemotherapy and initiate relapse, but what makes them grow again is unknown. Here, the authors show (i) that LSCs hijack ectopic signaling pathways to kick-start their growth and (ii) that growth can be blocked with repurposed drugs in t(8;21) AML sub-type.