NUIG haematologist Prof Michael O’Dwyer(pictured above) : worked with Prof Lokesh Joshi of NUIG’s glysoscience group and Dr Siobhán Glavey on studying the complex sugars which cover all cells in the human body, and many of the proteins in the bloodstream.
Researchers at the National University of Ireland Galway have identified an enzyme that has a key role in the spread and survival of blood cancer cells. The discovery, which focused on the cancer multiple myeloma, has just been published by the internationally acclaimed journal, Blood.
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the blood which results from an overproduction of plasma cells, the white blood cells that produce antibodies. It leads to problems such as anaemia, bone damage, kidney failure and elevated calcium levels. There are about 240 new cases of multiple myeloma diagnosed each year in Ireland.
HRB Clinician Scientist, Michael O Dwyer, Professor of Haematology at the National University of Ireland Galway says; “While treatments for multiple myeloma have improved over the last decade, and most patients are living longer, there is no cure. Our research is crucial because it sheds new light on the biology of multiple myeloma which could lead to new strategies to overcome resistance to treatment.”
“In essence, we have linked the overproduction of a specific enzyme called sialyltransferase to disease progression and worse outcomes in multiple myeloma. The increase in this enzyme activity causes a series of knock on effects; increasing glycosylation, which in turn increases the interaction of the cancer cells with receptors on the walls of blood vessels called selectins which then encourages their circulation, spread and retention in the bone marrow.”
“Our aim now is to prevent these interactions that cause the spread using specific enzyme and selectin inhibitors”.
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