Newswise — Nevada Cancer Institute continues to pave a path in cutting edge research towards cancer treatment including an intense investigation in the development of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and the development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
MDS remains an incurable hematopoietic progenitor cell malignancy that occurs most frequently among the elderly, with about 14,000 new cases each year in the United States. About 30 to 40 percent of MDS cases progress to AML. The incidence of MDS continues to increase as our population ages. To date, no satisfactory treatments have been developed and the precise cellular or molecular events that induce progression of MDS to AML still remain poorly understood.
Dr. Yupo Ma, chief of Hematopathology for the Nevada Cancer Institute, and his colleagues created a novel model to study the development of a variety of cancers and have identified a potential target for the treatment of cancer.
In his laboratory at the Nevada Cancer Institute, Dr. Ma has been preparing biomarker antibodies to characterize progenitor cells. The value of these markers has already aroused interest from companies performing laboratory diagnostics and will have clinical implications in the diagnosis and prognosis of blood diseases in the near future.
The role of cancer progenitor cells in the resistance to conventional therapies, including radiation therapy, has been established. Because of this, Dr. Ma's unique approach to attack the cancer progenitor cells has been applauded and funded by national cancer agencies.
The National Institute of Health awarded a RO1 grant to Dr. Ma to fund the model of myelodysplastic syndrome progression and leukemic progenitor cells through various scientific techniques.
This is the third grant supporting this research for this year, including grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Veterans Affairs (VA) and the American Society of Hematology. These grants focus on unique aspects of cancer progenitor cells. An RO1 grant is a very competitive grant given by the NIH.
The latest NIH grant will bring a total of $2 million to Nevada in order to fund five years of research on these hematological conditions. The VA award will bring at least salary, equipment and reagent at a cost of a million dollars over a three-year period.
About Nevada Cancer InstituteNevada Cancer Institute (NVCI) is the official cancer institute for the State of Nevada. A nonprofit organization, NVCI is committed to reducing the burden of cancer by pursuing the development of a comprehensive cancer research institute, as defined by the National Cancer Institute. Through the knowledge and expertise of the finest scientists, clinicians, educators and caregivers, the Institute provides hope to communities in Nevada, the southwest and beyond through research, education, early detection, prevention and high quality patient care. NVCI is striving for a future without cancer that is achieved through initiated and collaborative research in basic, clinical and population science. For more information, please visit http://www.nevadacancerinstitute.org or call (702) 822-LIFE.
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