St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - Medicine and Science News

Molecular marker identifies normal stem cells as intestinal tumor source (news release)

St. Jude scientists show for the first time that normal stem cells can act as the source of tumors in mature solid tissues.

St. Jude identifies genomic causes of a certain type of leukemia relapse

Scientists at St. Jude have identified distinctive genetic changes that cause relapse in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Gene therapy corrects sickle cell disease in laboratory study (news release)

New St. Jude treatment alleviates long-term anemia and organ damage in mice and paves the way for human applications.

St. Jude identifies genomic causes of a certain type of leukemia relapse (news release)

Scientists at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have identified distinctive genetic changes in the cancer cells of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that cause relapse.

Reprogrammable cell type depends on a single gene to keep its identity (news release)

St. Jude study shows the Prox1 gene is a two-way switch that, if turned off, causes lymphatic endothelial cells to be reprogrammed so that they lose their identity and become more like blood endothelial cells.

New insight into the controls on a go-to enzyme

Scientists at St. Jude have gained new insights into regulation of one of the body’s enzyme workhorses called calpains.

St. Jude researchers shed light on measuring bone density

Clinicians treating young males who have brain cancer might be able to make therapy safer for the developing bones of these patients.

New insight into the controls on a go-to enzyme (news release)

Scientists at St. Jude have gained new insights into regulation of one of the body’s enzyme workhorses called calpains. As the cell’s molecular overachievers, calpains function in many cellular processes, including the movement of cells in tissues, the death of damaged cells, insulin secretion, and brain cell and muscle function.

Parasites living inside cells use loophole to thwart immune system

St. Jude scientists have discovered a mechanism by which intracellular pathogens can shut down one of the body’s key chemical weapons against them: nitric oxide.

Parasites that live inside cells use loophole to thwart immune system

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists have discovered a mechanism by which intracellular pathogens can shut down one of the body’s key chemical weapons against them: nitric oxide.

How an enzyme relaxes uptight DNA

A team of scientists at St. Jude have gained new insight into the function of DNA topoisomerase 1 (Top1). This finding may yield a new approach to anti-cancer drugs that can jam the function of this enzyme and kill cancer cells.

Drug combination for non-Hodgkin lymphoma produces fewer side effects

A new combination of anti-cancer drugs, when integrated into an existing treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, causes reduced risk for side effects in children than the conventional regimen.

Treatment with new drug might make tumor cells more sensitive to therapy

Scientists at St. Jude have shown that it might be possible to make tumor cells more sensitive to irradiation and some types of chemotherapy by treating them with a drug that cripples their ability to repair DNA damage caused by these therapies.

Drug shows a new effect that can control a childhood cancer

The drug bevacizumab is widely used to inhibit blood vessel growth in tumors, starving them of oxygen and nutrients. St. Jude researchers have found that the drug also shows promise for attacking neuroblastoma cells themselves.

Clues from nature inspire new anti-cancer drugs

St. Jude researchers have designed an efficient route to synthesizing a new type of anti-cancer drug, based on a chemical that bacteria use as a weapon against organisms they infect. The initial versions of the new drugs show significant activity against a range of cancer cells.

Study shows how pneumonia bacteria use stolen genetic material

In a new study, St. Jude researchers have gained insight into how pneumococcus, the primary cause of pneumonia, uses a particular piece of stolen genetic material to render it more virulent.

Researchers identify mechanism underlying genetic forebrain malformation

St. Jude scientists have identified one of the molecular mechanisms underlying the genetic brain malformation called holoprosencephaly (HPE). The findings not only yield insights into the most common developmental malformation of the anterior brain and face in newborns, but also help in understanding the intricate process by which the brain forms in the developing fetus.

Protective “suicide protein” found to be thwarted in lymphoma

St. Jude investigators have found that a protein called Puma, which normally protects the body by triggering cancer cells to commit suicide through a process called apoptosis, is suppressed in Burkitt lymphoma.

New clue to machinery of autoimmune disease

St. Jude researchers have discovered an intriguing insight into how T cells, the immune system’s master regulatory cells, wage war on the body’s own tissues in such autoimmune disorders as multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

Small investment could boost pediatric cancer survivorship in poorer nations

A small hike in funding for pediatric cancer care could significantly boost survival rates in low- and middle-income nations, according to an international team lead by St. Jude.

Vigilant care saves children with early leukemia complications

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.

St. Jude study shows how T cell’s machinery dials down autoimmunity

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.

Drug combination offers promise in treating resistant bone cancer

A new combination of two anti-cancer drugs offers promise in treating recurrent and treatment-resistant bone cancer in children.

Young age may offer survival advantage to children with DPG

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.

New function for old enzyme in fatal disease

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.

Risk factors found for RSV infection in immunocompromised children

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.

Childhood leukemia: tackling the challenge of CNS relapse

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.

St. Jude researchers find key step in programmed cell death

St. Jude investigators have discovered a dance of proteins that protects certain cells from undergoing apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death.

Study offers new hope for children with bilateral Wilms tumor

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.

St. Jude finds signaling system that halts medulloblastoma growth

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.

Putting the brakes on the immune system

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.

Link between cellular defense processes shows how cancer cells survive

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.

Webby takes reins of World Health Organization lab at St. Jude

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.

St. Jude “twins” with Santiago to transfer osteosarcoma trial treatment

When St. Jude shares clinical trials internationally, there is much more involved than just sending a set of directions to clinicians in another nation.

St. Jude researchers identify key genetic trigger of AML

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.

St. Jude finds mechanism for faulty protein disposal

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.

NIXing the cell’s polluting power plants

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.