Research
European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute
We are currently working with the European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute (ECSCRI) in Cardiff, supporting the work of Dr Neil Rodrigues. ECSCRI is also home to the national Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) trials centre. We believe that Dr Rodrigues and his team have made important research discoveries that could eventually lead to radical improvements in AML patient outcome.
"Using funding from the Leukaemia Cancer Society, we have found that a particular gene called GATA-2 regulates how AML cells grow. GATA-2 is a poor prognosis factor in both adult and childhood AML We have inhibited GATA-2 in AML cells using a pharmacological/drug approach and have found that AML cells either die or revert to normal appearance.
In future developments we hope to target the ‘cancer stem cell’ in AML. This type of cell maintains the cancer and seems to be responsible for relapses. If we can target the cancer stem cell, we may be able to develop a cure for AML."
Dr Neil Rodrigues, Reader, Postgraduate Divisional Tutor - European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University© 2022 Leukaemia Cancer Society