News on Leukemia
News stories of interest to parents of children with leukemia, from the Parenting Special Needs blog and news sources around the Web. For the latest news, go to the Today's News folder.
Chromosomal abnormality identified in leukemia with Down syndrome
From Science Blog: "Researchers identified a new chromosomal abnormality in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that appears to work in concert with another mutation to give rise to cancer. This latest anomaly is particularly common in children with Down syndrome." (10/19/09)
From Science Blog: "Researchers identified a new chromosomal abnormality in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that appears to work in concert with another mutation to give rise to cancer. This latest anomaly is particularly common in children with Down syndrome." (10/19/09)
Leukemia Cells May Hide in Fat Tissue
From HealthDay: "Leukemia cells can hide in fat tissue to evade chemotherapy, which may explain why obese children with leukemia are more likely to develop chemotherapy resistance and have higher relapse rates, researchers say." (9/23/09)
From HealthDay: "Leukemia cells can hide in fat tissue to evade chemotherapy, which may explain why obese children with leukemia are more likely to develop chemotherapy resistance and have higher relapse rates, researchers say." (9/23/09)
New research strategy for understanding drug resistance in leukemia
From Science Blog: "'In trying to understand why certain cancers respond to drugs while certain other cancers fail to respond, we found that a single gene can be the culprit for drug resistance," said Kevin Shannon, MD, senior author of the paper and a pediatric cancer specialist at UCSF Children's Hospital." (9/4/09)
From Science Blog: "'In trying to understand why certain cancers respond to drugs while certain other cancers fail to respond, we found that a single gene can be the culprit for drug resistance," said Kevin Shannon, MD, senior author of the paper and a pediatric cancer specialist at UCSF Children's Hospital." (9/4/09)
Young leukemia and lymphoma patients live longer than in years past
From Science Blog: "A new analysis has found that adolescents and young adults who were recently diagnosed with blood-related cancers have better long-term survival rates than those who were diagnosed in the 1980s." (8/24/09)
From Science Blog: "A new analysis has found that adolescents and young adults who were recently diagnosed with blood-related cancers have better long-term survival rates than those who were diagnosed in the 1980s." (8/24/09)
Groundbreaking study shows exercise benefits leukemia patients
From Science Blog: "One of the most bothersome symptoms of leukemia is extreme fatigue, and asking these patients to exercise doesn't sound like a way to help them feel better. A new study ... indicates that exercise may be a great way to do just that, combating the debilitating fatigue that these patients experience." (8/3/09)
From Science Blog: "One of the most bothersome symptoms of leukemia is extreme fatigue, and asking these patients to exercise doesn't sound like a way to help them feel better. A new study ... indicates that exercise may be a great way to do just that, combating the debilitating fatigue that these patients experience." (8/3/09)
Study finds pesticide link to childhood leukemia
From Yahoo News: "Patients with childhood leukemia have elevated levels of household pesticides in their urine, according to a new study by the Georgetown University Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center." (7/30/09)
From Yahoo News: "Patients with childhood leukemia have elevated levels of household pesticides in their urine, according to a new study by the Georgetown University Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center." (7/30/09)
ook at rare leukemia finds a few genetic changes launch disease
From Science Blog: "The most comprehensive analysis yet of the genome of childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) found only a few mistakes in the genetic blueprint, suggesting the cancer arises from just a handful of missteps, according to new findings from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital." (7/28/09)
From Science Blog: "The most comprehensive analysis yet of the genome of childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) found only a few mistakes in the genetic blueprint, suggesting the cancer arises from just a handful of missteps, according to new findings from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital." (7/28/09)
Melisa Paskova's Fight Against Leukemia
From Science Blog: "Cancer is most commonly a disease of older people, which is what makes leukemia so terrifying. It strikes children and tears families apart." (7/23/09)
From Science Blog: "Cancer is most commonly a disease of older people, which is what makes leukemia so terrifying. It strikes children and tears families apart." (7/23/09)
MGH study identifies first molecular steps to childhood leukemia
From Science Blog: "A Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)-based research team has identified how a chromosomal abnormality known to be associated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) -- the most common cancer in children -- initiates the disease process." (7/16/09)
From Science Blog: "A Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)-based research team has identified how a chromosomal abnormality known to be associated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) -- the most common cancer in children -- initiates the disease process." (7/16/09)
Dying 9-Year-Old Girl 'Weds' Friend
From AOL News: "Jayla Cooper's dying wish came true as she married her friend in a dream wedding in Texas. Jayla, who's just 9 years old, likely has only weeks to live after having battled leukemia for the last two years." (2/26/09)
From AOL News: "Jayla Cooper's dying wish came true as she married her friend in a dream wedding in Texas. Jayla, who's just 9 years old, likely has only weeks to live after having battled leukemia for the last two years." (2/26/09)
Cured meats tied to childhood leukemia risk
From Reuters: "Children who regularly eat cured meats like bacon and hot dogs may have a heightened risk of leukemia, while vegetables and soy products may help protect against cancer, a new study suggests." (1/29/09)
From Reuters: "Children who regularly eat cured meats like bacon and hot dogs may have a heightened risk of leukemia, while vegetables and soy products may help protect against cancer, a new study suggests." (1/29/09)
In Kids, Genes May Affect Leukemia Treatment
From HealthDay: "Finding could help tailor therapy regimen to individuals, experts say." (1/28/09)
From HealthDay: "Finding could help tailor therapy regimen to individuals, experts say." (1/28/09)
Could Caffeine In Pregnancy Affect Risk Leukemia Risk In Offspring?
From Science Daily: "Although there are currently no convincing links between caffeine and cancer risks, previous studies have found a link between alterations to DNA, which are sometimes found in newborn babies, to an increased risk of leukaemia. Caffeine has been shown to cause these kinds of changes to DNA." (1/26/09)
From Science Daily: "Although there are currently no convincing links between caffeine and cancer risks, previous studies have found a link between alterations to DNA, which are sometimes found in newborn babies, to an increased risk of leukaemia. Caffeine has been shown to cause these kinds of changes to DNA." (1/26/09)
Childhood Leukemia Subtype Resists Treatment
From HealthDay: "Those with rare gene have disease relapse often within 5 years of apparent remission." (1/10/09)
From HealthDay: "Those with rare gene have disease relapse often within 5 years of apparent remission." (1/10/09)
Study unlocks mystery of child leukemia relapse
From Reuters: "Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL, who have abnormalities in a gene called IKZF1 are three times as likely to have a relapse than those who do not, the researchers wrote in the New England Journal of Medicine." (1/8/09)
From Reuters: "Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL, who have abnormalities in a gene called IKZF1 are three times as likely to have a relapse than those who do not, the researchers wrote in the New England Journal of Medicine." (1/8/09)
Fatal attraction: How leukemia seduces blood cells
From Reuters: "Leukemia cells use powerful chemical signals to lure healthy blood-forming stem cells into their cancerous lairs, where they lose their power to make healthy blood cells ... But by jamming these signals in mice, the team was able to protect the stem cells, called hematopoietic progenitor cells." (12/22/08)
From Reuters: "Leukemia cells use powerful chemical signals to lure healthy blood-forming stem cells into their cancerous lairs, where they lose their power to make healthy blood cells ... But by jamming these signals in mice, the team was able to protect the stem cells, called hematopoietic progenitor cells." (12/22/08)
Adult Survivors Of Childhood Leukemia Have Lower Bone Mineral Density
From Science Daily: "Men who survived childhood leukemia treatment into adulthood were more likely to have low bone mineral density than other adults their age, putting them at risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures, according to a new study." (12/4/08)
From Science Daily: "Men who survived childhood leukemia treatment into adulthood were more likely to have low bone mineral density than other adults their age, putting them at risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures, according to a new study." (12/4/08)
Scientists track genetic changes in leukemia
From Reuters: "Distinctive genetic changes occur in the cancer cells that trigger relapse in patients with the most common type of childhood cancer, according to a study that may offer new hope for beating the disease." (11/28/08)
From Reuters: "Distinctive genetic changes occur in the cancer cells that trigger relapse in patients with the most common type of childhood cancer, according to a study that may offer new hope for beating the disease." (11/28/08)
Blocking enzyme may help childhood leukemia: study
From Reuters: Researchers "said blocking the enzyme may keep an abnormal protein called Dot1 from flipping on genetic switches that cause a deadly form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia or ALL." (11/3/08)
From Reuters: Researchers "said blocking the enzyme may keep an abnormal protein called Dot1 from flipping on genetic switches that cause a deadly form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia or ALL." (11/3/08)
Survival rates rise in childhood blood cancers
From Reuters: "The study tracked rising survival rates in the five and 10 years after children were diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL, the most common childhood cancer, as well as acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Survival rates for a fourth similar type of cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, did not change, they found." (9/10/08)
From Reuters: "The study tracked rising survival rates in the five and 10 years after children were diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL, the most common childhood cancer, as well as acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Survival rates for a fourth similar type of cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, did not change, they found." (9/10/08)
Leukemia therapy can impair school performance
"Certain treatments may affect the scholastic achievement of childhood leukemia survivors, Finnish researchers report in the Journal of Clinical Oncology." (8/30/07)
"Certain treatments may affect the scholastic achievement of childhood leukemia survivors, Finnish researchers report in the Journal of Clinical Oncology." (8/30/07)
Obesity Lessens Likelihood of Leukemia Recovery
Children who have a high body mass index when diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia are less likely to be cured and more likely to relapse. (6/12/07)
Children who have a high body mass index when diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia are less likely to be cured and more likely to relapse. (6/12/07)
Leukemia Survivors at Risk for Future Cancers
"The bad news: A recent study shows that children who recover from leukemia are prone to recurring cancers over their lifetime. The good news: Those leukemia survivors have a longer lifetime than ever, and that may be why these new cancers even have a chance to develop." (3/21/07)
"The bad news: A recent study shows that children who recover from leukemia are prone to recurring cancers over their lifetime. The good news: Those leukemia survivors have a longer lifetime than ever, and that may be why these new cancers even have a chance to develop." (3/21/07)
Mom's "mono" virus ups risk of leukemia in child
"A new study provides more evidence that reactivation during pregnancy of Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mononucleosis, may be associated with a proportion of childhood leukemia cases. What that proportion may be has yet to be defined, researchers say." (1/26/07)
"A new study provides more evidence that reactivation during pregnancy of Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mononucleosis, may be associated with a proportion of childhood leukemia cases. What that proportion may be has yet to be defined, researchers say." (1/26/07)
Prenatal infection may up leukemia risk in child
"A mother who contracts influenza, pneumonia, or a sexually transmitted disease around the time of pregnancy appears to be at increased risk of having a child that will develop leukemia, new research shows." (1/12/07)
"A mother who contracts influenza, pneumonia, or a sexually transmitted disease around the time of pregnancy appears to be at increased risk of having a child that will develop leukemia, new research shows." (1/12/07)
New use of cord blood to treat childhood leukemia: study
"A three-year-old leukemia victim was given a life-saving infusion of her own cord blood, marking the first time a child with this disease served as their own blood donor, American doctors said." (1/5/07)
"A three-year-old leukemia victim was given a life-saving infusion of her own cord blood, marking the first time a child with this disease served as their own blood donor, American doctors said." (1/5/07)
Survivors of childhood leukemia faring well
"More than 90 percent of children who survive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) five years after treatment are still alive 20 years later and leading full, productive lives, a new study finds." (12/11/06)
"More than 90 percent of children who survive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) five years after treatment are still alive 20 years later and leading full, productive lives, a new study finds." (12/11/06)
At-home care of kids with leukemia prone to errors
"When children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are cared for at home, medication errors occur in about one in five cases, according to a new study. Although the errors encountered in the study were mostly trivial, some could reduce treatment efficacy or increase the side effects of treatment." (8/17/06)
"When children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are cared for at home, medication errors occur in about one in five cases, according to a new study. Although the errors encountered in the study were mostly trivial, some could reduce treatment efficacy or increase the side effects of treatment." (8/17/06)
Can daycare prevent leukemia?
Research on how to prevent childhood leukemia has turned up a surprising suggestion: Send your baby to daycare. (4/25/06)
Research on how to prevent childhood leukemia has turned up a surprising suggestion: Send your baby to daycare. (4/25/06)
Cancer and high power lines
A British study looks at the connection between high-voltage power lines and leukemia. (10/30/04)
A British study looks at the connection between high-voltage power lines and leukemia. (10/30/04)