American Society of Hematology (ASH) picks discovery from nearly 4,000 studies as a "best of ASH" at annual meeting

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (Dec. 15, 2008)—Researchers at the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota have discovered that a gene involved in the often fatal infant leukemia is also associated with an aggressive form of brain cancer, called glioblastoma. This discovery provides evidence that cancers may be interlinked.

Ashish Kumar, M.D., Ph.D., scientist and assistant professor with the University of Minnesota's Masonic Cancer Center and Medical School, led the laboratory research team that made this discovery. Their finding was selected for the Presidential Symposium/Best of American Society of Hematology (ASH) discussion at the 50th annual meeting of ASH in San Francisco. ASH is the largest professional meeting in the world of physicians and researchers involved in research and treatment of cancer and other diseases of the blood and bone marrow. Of the nearly 4,000 research abstracts presented, fewer than 40 were selected for the Best of ASH honor.

"We were astounded by our discovery," Kumar said. "It shows that cancers arising in different tissues share a common genetic program, as in this instance, a key gene for infant leukemia is also active in glioblastoma."

The original purpose of Kumar's research study was to find out what the gene called MEIS1, which is essential to infant leukemia, does. He and his colleagues learned that MEIS1 is the master regulator of hundreds of genes that are important for the growth of both normal and abnormal cells. As the master regulator, MEIS1 allows for self-renewal and expansion of cells.

Kumar and his colleagues then went searching to find out whether the MEIS1 signature genes are associated with other conditions. They found that a significant number of these genes are also present in stem cells in the brain and in the brain tumor glioblastoma.

"What this means is that we found a common thread to the biology of leukemia and brain cancer, which connects back to the same normal cells that in their development process, become abnormal," Kumar said.

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About the Masonic Cancer Center

The Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota is part of the University's Academic Health Center and designated by the National Cancer Institute as a Comprehensive Cancer Center for cancer research, treatment and education. For more information, visit www.cancer.umn.edu or call 612-624-2620.

Media Contact:

Mary Lawson, Masonic Cancer Center, 612-624-6165, mlawson@umn.edu