Researchers attempt new treatment approach for blood cancer

(Boston University School of Medicine) In an effort to improve the survival of patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms, a type of leukemia, researchers inhibited a specific protein (alpha5beta1 integrin) to decrease the number of large bone marrow cells (megakaryocytes) in an experimental model. An increase in megakaryocyte numbers is thought to be the cause of many problems observed in this disease. This type of treatment approach has never been attempted before.
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news