New approach by Basel researchers to treat leukemia more gently
Published: Wednesday, May 22nd 2024, 17:30
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Leukemia could be treated more specifically with a new approach. A research team in Basel has developed a method that destroys diseased blood cells in the body and at the same time builds up a new blood system with donated blood stem cells.
In the journal "Nature", the team reports promising results in animal experiments and with human cells in the laboratory, the University of Basel announced on Wednesday.
Replacing the diseased blood system with a healthy one is the only chance of a cure for aggressive leukemias. As a first step, the body's own blood stem cells and most blood cells are usually destroyed by chemotherapy. The patients are then given stem cells from a donor by infusion. According to the university, this procedure is associated with side effects and risks of complications.
Protective shield for donated cells
In the new study, the researchers led by Lukas Jeker from the university presented a gentler approach. The diseased blood cells are treated with specific antibodies that are equipped with a coupled cytotoxin that recognizes all blood cells in the patient's body by means of a surface molecule.
At the same time, the patients receive new, healthy blood stem cells. The researchers used genetic engineering methods to modify the surface molecule of these foreign cells so that the cytotoxin would not recognize them. According to the University of Basel, the modification of the donated stem cells is known as "shielding".
"The new approach could also offer new treatment options for those patients whose state of health does not allow the necessary chemotherapy for a stem cell transplant," said co-first author Romina Matter-Marone from the university. Although further tests and optimizations are still needed, the first clinical trials should start within a few years.
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