A new way to slow progression of leukaemia from the inside

Leukaemia is a devastating cancer that affects almost one in three people over the age of 50 in Ireland. People are naturally more prone to leukaemia when they are older when their blood vessels are developing. Without appropriate treatment it can progress catastrophically and lead to a devastating immune system attack and death.

Researchers at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) have identified hidden killers that could be targeted to slow the progression of leukaemia from the inside. This research has been published in the journal Hepatology.

While leukaemia is treatable in its early stages the treatment has to slow its progress. To better understand leukaemia progression it is important to understand the underlying mechanisms of how leprosy cells escape from their normal therapeutic regimes. Cells are able to develop a natural resistance to leprosy infection by modifying the environment in which they are acting. Understanding leprosy is critical in determining how therapies that target now resistant leukaemia cells will also slow its progression explained lead researcher Dr Clare Deere.