Cancer fighter voted; why didn't you, Ludh West?
Ludhiana: A 68-year-old Veena Sood of Rishi Nagar, a former banker who is fighting chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), a bone marrow and blood-related cancer, for the last thirty years, was among the first few voters at Polytechnic College polling booth in the company of her husband, Vinod Sood, who also retired from a bank.
Veena Sood has been exercising her right to vote for 40-odd years now and both her husband and she are happy to vote. She claimed to have voted for a candidate she thinks will take care of development needs of the seat.
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Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Cancer fighter voted; why didn't you, Ludh West?
Ludhiana: A 68-year-old Veena Sood of Rishi Nagar, a former banker who is fighting chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), a bone marrow and blood-related cancer, for the last thirty years, was among the first few voters at Polytechnic College polling booth in the company of her husband, Vinod Sood, who also retired from a bank. Veena Sood has been exercising her right to vote for 40-odd years now and both her husband and she are happy to vote. She claimed to have voted for a candidate she thinks will take care of development needs of the seat.
The Hindu
15-06-2025
- The Hindu
Our body's crimson tide: the evolving treatment landscape in haematology
Historically, treatment for blood cancers, relied heavily on chemotherapy. However, this 'carpet bombing' approach, apart from destroying cancer cells also affects healthy, rapidly-dividing cells. This can lead to significant side effects like vomiting ,immunosuppression, hair loss and anaemia. While chemotherapy remains vital, the goal has always been more precise, less toxic options. A deeper understanding of cancer cell biology has paved the way for 'targeted therapy'—drugs designed as 'surgical strikes' against molecular targets predominantly found on or within cancer cells. This approach aims for greater efficacy with a more manageable side-effect profile, sparing normal cells to a larger extent. Imatinib - the dawn of targeted therapy in haematology A pivotal moment in targeted therapy arrived with Imatinib, approved in 2001 for Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML). CML is driven by the Philadelphia chromosome, a genetic abnormality creating the BCR-ABL fusion gene that fuels uncontrolled white blood cell proliferation. Before Imatinib, CML was often fatal within years. Imatinib was designed to block the activity of this BCR-ABL protein. Its success was revolutionary, transforming CML from a deadly disease into a manageable chronic condition for most patients, who could now achieve long-term remission and a good quality of life with a daily pill. This validated the concept of molecularly targeted therapy and spurred massive research into similar approaches for other cancers, heralding a new frontier in cancer treatment . Harnessing the immune system --the rise of immunotherapy in haematology Our immune system, with its innate (first-line, non-specific) and adaptive (specialised, memory-forming) arms, is designed to eliminate threats, including cancerous cells. Immunotherapy aims to boost or re-engage the patient's immune system to fight cancer. Various types of antibody based therapies such as Monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs) antibodies target specific antigens on cancer cells. Bispecific Antibodies (e.g., BiTEs - Bispecific T-cell Engagers)have two binding sites-- one for a cancer cell antigen and another for a T-cell (an immune killer cell). Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) are 'armed antibodies' and combine an antibody's targeting precision with a potent cytotoxic drug . These immunotherapies offer highly effective options ,which earlier approved for resistant cancers ,are being increasingly used in frontline settings. For thousands battling life-threatening blood cancers and other devastating diseases, a Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) offers a beacon of hope – a potential cure when other treatments have failed. This remarkable medical procedure involves replacing a patient's diseased or damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells from the patient (autologous BMT) or a healthy donor (allogenic BMT) . Recent advances in BMT BMT is a critical treatment option for a range of blood conditions. These include benign conditions such as sickle cell anaemia, thalassemia, aplastic anaemia, inherited immune deficiency and metabolic disorders as well as malignant conditions like high risk acute leukemias, myelodysplastic syndrome, relapsed leukemias, myelomas and relapsed /refractory lymphomas. Earlier, allogenic bone marrow transplant were done only with HLA matched donors (related or unrelated) .The probability of finding a matched donor was only 30%. Now however, haploidentical (Haplo) BMT, a groundbreaking approach, allows for transplants using donors (typically family members like parents or children) who are only a half-match for the patient's HLA involves the use of PTCY - Post transplant cyclophosphamide, where chemotherapy is administered on day +3 and day +4 after infusion of the stem cells. This has dramatically increased donor availability, meaning most patients who need a transplant can now find a suitable donor. Traditionally, BMT involved high-dose chemotherapy and/or radiation (myeloablative conditioning) to wipe out the patient's marrow. Reduced Intensity Conditioning (RIC) Transplant regimens use lower, less toxic doses, making transplants an option for older patients or those with other health conditions who might not tolerate aggressive conditioning. This relies more on the graft versus leukemia effect, where the donor cells act against the cancer of the recipient . Improved Graft Manipulation: Scientists area also developing sophisticated ways to process donor stem cells before infusion such as TCR α/β depletion which removes specific T-cells (T-cell receptor alpha/beta cells) from the donor graft that are primarily responsible for causing graft versus host disease (GVHD). With ongoing research and innovation, the future promises even better outcomes, reduced side effects, and wider applicability, offering a renewed lease on life to countless individuals around the world. CAR T-cell therapy: living drugs to combat cancer Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a groundbreaking immunotherapy that engineers a patient's own T-cells into potent cancer-killing 'living drugs.' The process involves collecting a patient's T-cells, genetically modifying them in the lab to express a CAR that recognises a specific antigen on their cancer cells (e.g., CD19 on B-cell leukaemias/lymphomas), expanding these engineered cells, and then infusing them back into the patient. Once infused, CAR T-cells seek out and destroy cancer cells expressing the target antigen. This therapy has achieved unprecedented success in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and certain non-Hodgkin lymphomas, leading to high remission rates and several FDA-approved products. However, challenges include significant potential side effects like Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity (ICANS), along with high manufacturing complexity and cost. Gene therapy, AI and the importance of foundational clinical skills Gene therapy offers curative potential for inherited haematological disorders by modifying a patient's cells, often by introducing a functional gene or correcting a faulty one. Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from bone marrow are prime targets, as modified HSCs can repopulate the marrow with corrected cells, offering a permanent solution. Significant progress has been made in diseases such as sickle cell disease, Beta-thalassemia and Hemophilia A in this regard. While transformative, challenges like long-term durability, cost, and access remain. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful tool in haematology, capable of analysing vast and complex datasets to enhance diagnosis, treatment, and research. Key applications include: AI-powered diagnostics: AI algorithms analyse blood smears and bone marrow biopsies to identify and classify cells with high accuracy, potentially assisting pathologists and improving diagnostic efficiency. AI also helps interpret complex genomic data from NGS. Accelerating drug discovery: AI can identify novel therapeutic targets, predict drug efficacy and toxicity, and repurpose existing drugs for haematological conditions, streamlining development. It can also aid in patient stratification for trials and accelerate data analysis, potentially speeding up drug approvals. AI can also integrate diverse patient data to predict individual responses to therapies, helping clinicians choose optimal treatment plans. It is poised to act as an 'AI physician assistant,' augmenting human expertise rather than replacing it, leading to more precise and personalised care. In this era of remarkable technological progress, from gene editing to AI, it's vital to remember that the foundations of good medical practice such as thorough history taking, comprehensive physical examinations and focussed investigations are paramount in arriving at the right diagnosis. The future of haematology lies in the synergistic integration of traditional medical wisdom and cutting-edge technology, ensuring holistic patient care and continued progress against blood disorders. This is the second story of the two-part series. You can read the first story here. (Dr. Steve Thomas, is a clinical haemato-oncologist and BMT physician at Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Porur, Chennai. stev07thomas@
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Time of India
THIS common ingredient found in foods and supplements is linked to Blood Cancer
A concerning study reveals that taurine, a common amino acid found in food and supplements, may fuel the growth of leukemia cells. Researchers at the University of Rochester's Wilmot Cancer Institute discovered that leukemia cells readily absorb taurine, promoting glycolysis and cancer progression. Global cancer cases are predicted to rise by 35 million in 2050, which is a 77% increase from the estimated 20 million cases in 2022, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Amid this alarming projection, new research has revealed an unsuspected driver behind one of the most aggressive forms of cancer. The study found that an amino acid, found commonly in the food we eat, and supplements we take, could cause leukemia , one of the most aggressive forms of blood cancer . A recent study by researchers at the University of Rochester's Wilmot Cancer Institute has found that taurine, which is made naturally in the body and consumed through some foods, is a key regulator of myeloid cancers such as leukemia. The study is published in the journal Nature. In the preclinical research, the scientists were able to block the growth of leukemia in mouse models and in human leukemia cell samples by using genetic tools to prevent taurine from entering cancer cells. 'We are very excited about these studies because they demonstrate that targeting uptake by myeloid leukemia cells may be a possible new avenue for treatment of these aggressive diseases,' Jeevisha Bajaj, PhD, lead researcher and an assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Genetics and a member of Wilmot's Cancer Microenvironment research program said in a statement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo King Charles' Cancer Secret REVEALED | Royal Whisper EXPOSES Private Health Bombshell | WATCH They also found that leukemia cells drink up taurine, which promotes glycolysis (a breakdown of glucose to produce energy) to feed cancer growth. Previous researchers have never looked at the cancer-promoting role of taurine. Leukemia has several subtypes, and the survival rates vary. This study found that taurine transporter expression is essential for the growth of multiple subtypes, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), which all originate from blood stem cells in the bone marrow. Taurine is a non-essential amino acid found naturally in the bone marrow and also in the brain, heart, and muscles. Foods such as meats, fish, and eggs also contain taurine. It is also a key ingredient in some energy drinks and protein powders, and has been used by cancer patients anecdotally. 'Dr. Bajaj's work shows that local levels of taurine in bone marrow may enhance leukemia growth, suggesting caution in use of high-dose taurine supplementation,' Jane Liesveld, MD, a Wilmot oncologist who treats leukemia patients, said. She also noted that scientists still have a lot to learn about how leukemia cells are reprogrammed and draw energy to thrive and resist treatments. 'Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer, and we are at the very beginning of understanding metabolic effects on leukemia cells. The prior focus has been on genetic changes, but the focus is expanding to understanding how leukemia cells are able to hijack various metabolic pathways for their own survival,' she added. In conclusion, the Wilmot team states in its Nature paper: 'Since taurine is a common ingredient in energy drinks and is often provided as a supplement to mitigate the side effects of chemotherapy, our work suggests that it may be of interest to carefully consider the benefits of supplemental taurine in leukemia patients.' The researcher noted that future studies are required to investigate levels of taurine in people with leukemia. 'Our current data suggest that it would be helpful to develop stable and effective ways to block taurine from entering leukemia cells,' she said. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
