International Study Finds Lymphoid Leukemia's Weak SpotMonday,
February 11, 2013 Discovering what they call the “Achilles’
heel” for lymphoid leukemia, an international research team has
tested a possible alternative treatment that eradicated the
disease in mouse models. Reporting their results Feb. 11 in the
journal Cancer Cell, the scientists said the targeted molecular
therapy described in their study could have direct implications
for current treatment of acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) in
people. Led by researchers at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
Medical Center and the Institut de recherches cliniques de
Montreal (ICRM), the study found that leukemic cells depend on a
protein called Gfi1 for survival. Removing the protein in mouse
models of the disease weakened and killed the leukemia cells.
Researchers said this should make the leukemia more susceptible
to chemo and radiation therapies – the current frontline
treatments for ALL. “Chemo and radiation therapies are very non-
specific and can be toxic to pa