New Study Detects Stem Cells in Leukemia Patients

New Study Detects Stem Cells in Leukemia Patients

A press release from The American Society of Hematology (http://www.hematology.org) that appears on PR Newswire says that an antibody can detect particular kinds of stem cells in the blood of patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in remission. A particular protein called anti-CLL-1 antibody has already been shown to be able to identify myeloid cells (immature white blood cells). Now researchers have found that this antibody can also identify the stem cells that appear to trigger AML.

This means that patients who are in remission can potentially be evaluated to see how many of the cancer-causing stem cells remain in their blood. Patients who are found to have cancer causing stem cells remaining even though in remission could receive additional treatment.

Identification of cancer causing stem cells in general helps drug manufacturers do research on potential medications to kill these cells.