Hhex, a protein which is considered as a new target for the therapies of AML

Recently, researchers at the University of Melbourne found that they set a target protein - the protein is the handbrake which can pull the growth of cancer cells - can curb the development of malignancy leukemia. The researchers found that targeting a protein called Hhex can cure preclinical disease models of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and it may be a key target for new therapies of leukemia. The study is recently published in the magazine Genes & Development.

Ben Shields and Dr. Matt McCormack from Australia Walter and Eliza Hall Institute discovered that missing Hhex protein can pull Leukemia's cell growth and division. This protein is a key factor which makes leukemia cells to grow uncontrollably, a sign of cancer.

AML is an aggressive cancer of the blood system. AML will suddenly appear and its development is quite rapid, and what's worse, the prognosis is poor. The conventional treatments of AML show serious side effects. About three quarters of patients will relapse within a short time after treatment, and 5-year survival rate is only 24%. Finding out how to overcome the normal control of cell growth and division of AML is a breakthrough in search for new therapies, Dr. McCormack said.

Dr. McCormack pointed out: "There is an urgent need for new therapies to treat AML. We found that blocking Hhex protein could prevent leukemia development, and completely eliminate the AML in preclinical models. This protein can be targeted through new drugs to treat human's AML."

Learn more about other proteins, go through this link: http://www.cusabio.com/Polyclonal-Antibody/CD235a-Polyclonal-Antibody-11106191.html