2. Researchers have determined what is causing some patients with leukemia to become resistant of a life saving drug. This happens after twenty months of successful treatment but suddenly they begin to have a relapse and the drugs do not work. The researchers did a sequencing of three proteins that are likely the cause for the drugs to stop working. They found the mutation in the protein called Bruton's tyrosine kinase. This made sense because the drug binded to BTK. The more the protein became mutated the less likely that the drug would bind with it. The researchers are now looking for new ways to fix this mutation.
3.
4. NOS Themes and Concepts:
Motivation: Many of these scientists are motivated to find a cure for this kind of new drug resistant leukemia.
Collaboration: Dr. Wang had someone from Christina Leslie's Laboratory do the sequencing for the blood of one of the patients.
This is very interesting. It sounds like how bacteria can become immune to antibiotics, like we learned in class. I hope the doctors are able to find a new way to treat this and save lives.
ReplyDeleteI continue to be amazed at the power of a few genes. I think that it is really interesting that just a few genes can completely alter someone, and in this case, a resistance to drugs. It is really unfortunate for some people that have this resistance to drugs that help with leukimia because really need that help.
ReplyDelete