Australia makes hopeful discovery in cure of a common leukemia

William Atkins
Thursday, 07 August 2008 21:22

Science - Health

According to medical researchers at Princess Alexandra Hospital and the University of Queensland, a cure for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a common type of leukemia, could possibly be developed as early as the year 2013.

The researchers from Princess Alexandra Hospital and the University of Queensland, both located in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, have been developing a way to cancer cells (specifically, chroniclymphocytic leukemia cells) alive outside of the human body.

Their research is aimed at curing chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), also called chronic lymphoid leukemia, a type of leukemia, or cancer of the white blood cells (lymphocyes).

It is a blood cancer that affects a particular lymphocyte, the B cell, which in turn adversely affects the body's bone and blood marrow.

CCL causes premature blood cells to circulate within the human body. The DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) of B cells are damaged by the cancer so that they are unable to fight off infection within the human body.

Devinder Gill, the lead medical scientist in the study, has reported that their research has found two “growth factors” that help to keep cancer cells alive outside of the human body. [The Tech Herald: “Australian researchers claim breakthrough against leukaemia”]

Please read page two for further information on the exciting new medical breakthrough by the Gill team.