http://www.stjude.org/ Top stories for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Copyright 2008 St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Wed,23 Jul 2008 08:38:11 CDT http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=004a7fe7cb13b110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=0bf695e614977110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience The supportive care of children suffering from early complications of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has greatly reduced their death rate, according to a new St. Jude study. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2de4b1c9b9f2b110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=0bf695e614977110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience A St. Jude study shows that T cells, the body’s master immune regulators, do not use simple on/off switches to govern the cellular machinery that regulates their development and function. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=aae0b1c9b9f2b110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=0bf695e614977110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience A new combination of two anti-cancer drugs offers promise in treating recurrent and treatment-resistant bone cancer in children. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=405cc3d1f132b110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=0bf695e614977110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience St. Jude investigators have shown that children under 3 years old who have a brain tumor called diffuse pontine glioma (DPG) appear to have a better outcome than older children with the same cancer. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=8bc8833b3be0b110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=002392d79e557110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience The lack of a single protein usually thought of as a run-of-the-mill enzyme that helps to recycle molecules in cells causes an incurable and often fatal disease of children. Children with this disease, called sialidosis, suffer from enlarged spleens and often develop vision problems, loss of coordination and seizures, among other symptoms. The patients generally die within the first few years of life. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=1ac4dc5ae1ada110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=687f515550487110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience A ubiquitous housekeeping enzyme has been found to play a major role in keeping the bone marrow environment healthy so it can nurture hematopoietic stem cells. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=1ac4dc5ae1ada110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=687f515550487110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience A ubiquitous housekeeping enzyme has been found to play a major role in keeping the bone marrow environment healthy so it can nurture hematopoietic stem cells. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=5e02f04b0f53a110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=687f515550487110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience The improved survival of children under 3 years old with diffuse pontine glioma compared to older children suggests that the biological properties of this cancer may be distinct in young patients. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=5e02f04b0f53a110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=687f515550487110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience The improved survival of children under 3 years old with diffuse pontine glioma compared to older children suggests that the biological properties of this cancer may be distinct in young patients. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=dbef9f82c9dd9110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=687f515550487110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience Immune cells adjust their function like a radio dial, not an on/off light switch; a discovery that hints at how autoimmune disease may develop late in life. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=dbef9f82c9dd9110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=687f515550487110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience Immune cells adjust their function like a radio dial, not an on/off light switch; a discovery that hints at how autoimmune disease may develop late in life. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f1ca7786b34c9110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=687f515550487110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience A new study shows how sounds are amplified in the inner ear, a finding that could explain how hearing loss can result from genetic mutation or overdose of drugs. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f1ca7786b34c9110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=687f515550487110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience A new study shows how sounds are amplified in the inner ear, a finding that could explain how hearing loss can result from genetic mutation or overdose of drugs. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2baf9fe564359110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=0bf695e614977110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience St. Jude investigators and collaborators have shown how to predict if a child who is infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) while being treated for cancer or another catastrophic disease is at high risk for developing severe infection. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=56b3a95e47259110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=0bf695e614977110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience Clinicians have achieved a gratifyingly high success rate in treating childhood leukemias — a major challenge is to improve treatment of central nervous system (CNS) leukemia. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=69649fe564359110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=0bf695e614977110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience St. Jude investigators have discovered a dance of proteins that protects certain cells from undergoing apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=8373c66a92a19110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=0bf695e614977110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience Children with bilateral Wilms tumor can retain normal function in both kidneys by undergoing a procedure called bilateral nephron-sparing surgery, even when preoperative scans suggest that the tumors are inoperable. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f96c6c58a4049110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=687f515550487110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience Finding that a combination of genetic mutations can cause an aggressive form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia could lead to new cancer-fighting therapies. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f96c6c58a4049110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=687f515550487110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience Finding that a combination of genetic mutations can cause an aggressive form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia could lead to new cancer-fighting therapies. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=02af0c0c191e8110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=687f515550487110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience Physicians at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have demonstrated that children with bilateral Wilms tumor, a cancer of the kidneys, can retain normal function in both kidneys by undergoing a procedure called bilateral nephron-sparing surgery, even when preoperative scans suggest that the tumors are inoperable. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=02af0c0c191e8110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=687f515550487110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience Physicians at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have demonstrated that children with bilateral Wilms tumor, a cancer of the kidneys, can retain normal function in both kidneys by undergoing a procedure called bilateral nephron-sparing surgery, even when preoperative scans suggest that the tumors are inoperable. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=00ef921b911e8110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=002392d79e557110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience A discovery by St. Jude scientists suggests a safer way to treat medulloblastoma, a rare but often fatal childhood brain tumor. The group found that one of the brain’s signaling pathways inhibits the growth of the highly aggressive cancer cells. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=1c88eae31c1d8110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=687f515550487110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience The dramatic increase that has occurred in the cure rate for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) will be difficult to replicate in older patients without considerable additional research. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=1c88eae31c1d8110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=687f515550487110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience The dramatic increase that has occurred in the cure rate for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) will be difficult to replicate in older patients without considerable additional research. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=5242fdc1077c7110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=002392d79e557110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience Scientists at St. Jude have discovered an important signaling molecule that puts the brakes on a rogue immune response. The discovery could have applications for a host of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease and asthma. The finding could also have exciting ramifications for fighting cancer. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=45d0ab84b1fa8110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=687f515550487110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience Researchers discover that proteins BMP2, BMP4 and BMP7 inhibit the growth of medulloblastoma tumors, while inducing malignant cells to develop into normal neurons, a finding that may lead to better treatments for the cancer. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=45d0ab84b1fa8110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=687f515550487110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience Researchers discover that proteins BMP2, BMP4 and BMP7 inhibit the growth of medulloblastoma tumors, while inducing malignant cells to develop into normal neurons, a finding that may lead to better treatments for the cancer. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=82ec913c87f78110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=0bf695e614977110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience St. Jude investigators have discovered that immune system cells that engulf and destroy germs in the body enlist help for this task from a common housekeeping mechanism most cells use to keep their interiors healthy. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=c1f47c877e668110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=687f515550487110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience The discovery provides insight into how certain proteins, including Hax1, work and how they control the process of apoptosis. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=c1f47c877e668110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=687f515550487110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience The discovery provides insight into how certain proteins, including Hax1, work and how they control the process of apoptosis. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=050ed271cf4f7110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=0bf695e614977110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience Richard Webby, PhD, an associate member in Infectious Diseases, has been named director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza Viruses in Lower Animals and Birds. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=1b5f423cf86e7110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=0bf695e614977110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience When St. Jude shares clinical trials internationally, there is much more involved than just sending a set of directions to clinicians in another nation. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=8211176181fe6110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=6d0f0bced73c1110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience A gene called N-Myc leads a double life in certain white blood cells when it is overexpressed, helping to trigger a cancer called acute myeloid leukemia (AML) under some conditions while triggering apoptosis, or cell suicide, under other conditions, according to results of a study done by St. Jude investigators. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=15b3c088d6127110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=0bf695e614977110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience A discovery by St. Jude scientists offers new insights into how myeloma cells dispose of defective or excess proteins. This finding could lead to new cancer treatments. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e3f86f2996df6110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=0bf695e614977110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience People investing their time and effort into “green” technology to replace old power plants that spew pollution into the environment might be envious of the humble human cell. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=ed7ea87c2a5e7110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=687f515550487110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience Children receiving treatment for cancer who are under2 years and those with very low levels of immune system cells called lymphocytes are at higher risk for severe respiratory syncytial virus related disease. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=ed7ea87c2a5e7110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=687f515550487110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience Children receiving treatment for cancer who are under2 years and those with very low levels of immune system cells called lymphocytes are at higher risk for severe respiratory syncytial virus related disease. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=601e515550487110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=687f515550487110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&rss=medicalscience Study provides the foundation for improving understanding of N-myc gene’s role in the eyes’ growth during fetal development when retinoblastoma forms. http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=708113c016118010VgnVCM1000000e2015acRCRD&rss=medicalscience Medicine & Science News