Tag: cancer

Researchers Discover Role of Mutated Gene in Development of non-Hodgkin Lymphomas

Recently researchers from Weill Cornell Medical College and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center discovered how a mutation in the KMT2D gene can drive the development of certain non-Hodgkin lymphomas. When properly functioning the gene KMT2D allows B-immune cells to generate antibodies against foreign objects in the blood stream. However, genetic mutations can disrupt normal immune cell growth, and prevent the proper functioning B-immune cells. Researchers found that,

“…normally KMT2D prepares key genes to respond to signals from other immune cells that stop B-cells, also called B-lymphocytes, from dividing and cause them to start making antibodies. However, when KMT2D mutations develop in B-cells, these external signals are no longer able to restrain them from dividing and stimulate their production of antibodies. As a result, there is an accumulation of rapidly dividing B-cells that eventually become malignant lymphomas. Importantly, the group demonstrated that therapies that have been developed to kill lymphoma cells by targeting these same signals are ineffective in the presence of KMT2D mutations.”

“KMT2D turns out to be one of the top 20 most mutated genes across all cancer types. It is really one of the superstars of cancer because it is one of the genes that is most strongly linked to tumors,” said co-senior author Dr. Ari Melnick, chair of the hematologic malignancies program in the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center and the Gebroe Family Professor of Hematology/Oncology at Weill Cornell Medical College. “Now that we understand how the gene functions in this treatment-resistant lymphoma, we can investigate the role of KMT2D mutations in other cancer types.”

These findings could potentially answer the question as to why certain lymphoma sub-types are treatment-resistant, while allowing for new avenues of therapeutic targeting.

Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma Genome Sequenced by Research Team

In a recent study first published online, then as a plenary paper in the February 12 issue of Blood an inter-institutional team of researchers sequenced the genome of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). This sequencing allowed researchers to study the changes in proteins in individual patients, which could potentially lead to the development of new therapies targeting the cells affected by cHL. Their findings are especially notable as,

“Now we have a better idea of what mutations there are, and going forward therapies can be adapted to specific patient populations according to their genomic composition,” said senior author Dr. Ethel Cesarman, a professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College.

Although scientists have sequenced the genomes of many other diseases, the cHL genome has remained elusive due to the difficulty of isolating Reed-Sternberg cells, which usually comprise less than 1 percent of a total cHL tumor. The team employed a technique that separates larger cells and looks at the proteins on their surface, called fluorescence-activated cell sorting, to successfully isolate the Reed-Sternberg cells and sequence the cancer genome, said senior author Dr. Mikhail Roshal, an assistant member in the Department of Pathology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

These findings could potentially lead to more personalized treatment options for patients with cHL. They exemplify the bench to bedside approach taken by the Lymphoma Program and Meyer Cancer Center. Please look to this space for further updates about lymphoma news and clinical trials.

Chemotherapy Patients Should Exercise Caution in Taking Herbal Supplements

In our Frequently Asked Questions section, we previously addressed the question, “Can I take any nutritional supplements during chemotherapy?” by noting the potential beneficial and adverse effects that might arise from use of supplements, and by suggesting a candid discussion with treating physicians. However, the New York Attorney General recently noted that consumers of supplements have more than just medication interactions to be concerned about. Genetic testing of supplements sold at GNC, Target, Walgreens, and Walmart revealed that only 21% of supplements actually contained the herbal ingredient listed on the labels—at Walmart it was only 4%. Moreover, 35% of products tested contained DNA from plants not listed on the labels. Said Attorney General Schneiderman,

“The DNA test results seem to confirm long-standing questions about the herbal supplement industry. Mislabeling, contamination, and false advertising are illegal. They also pose unacceptable risks to New York families—especially those with allergies to hidden ingredients.”

These findings highlight an extraordinary lack of oversight in the supplement industry, which some manufacturers exploit routinely. We have therefore amended our FAQ section to include this potential concern, and we continue to advocate for open discussions between patients and physicians.