header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


| Tuesday, Apr 23, 2013

Bone marrow from a child with leukemia before (left) and after (right)chemotherapy. Chemotherapy causes an increase in the number and size of the fat cells in the marrow (white ovals). These fat cells have a large amount of an enzyme (glutamine synthetase, which shows up as brown in this picture), allowing them to produce glutamine and potentially feed nearby leukemia cells.

In a study reported in the current issue of Cancer Research, Steven Mittelman, MD, PhD, and colleagues at The Saban Research Institute of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles report that obesity substantially impairs the ability of a first-line chemotherapy to kill leukemia cells.  Not only can obesity cause cancer; this research indicates how it can significantly decrease a child’s odds of battling the disease if they get it.

“This research really shines a light on how cancer cells avoid chemotherapy,” said Brent Polk, MD, director of The Saban Research Institute.  “As childhood obesity has become a global challenge, our understanding of how to beat cancer in children is advanced by these important findings.”

Obesity is known to greatly increase one’s risk of dying from cancer. However, researchers at Children’s Hospital were the first to show that this effect may also be present in children: Obese children diagnosed with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have a 50% greater risk of their disease recurring compared with children who are not obese.  This new study shows that obesity may impair the activity of L-asparaginase (ASNase), a first-line choice of chemotherapy drugs for treating this disease.  ASNase acts by breaking down the amino acids asparagine and glutamine, building blocks that ALL cells need to survive and proliferate.  The investigators found that fat cells produce these amino acids, and so decrease the ability of ASNase to eradicate ALL cells.

 

How Body Weight Impacts Cancer

These findings by Mittelman and colleagues are the latest installment of a frightening public health story.  In previous research using preclinical models, Mittelman has demonstrated that there are several ways in which obesity affects leukemia.  These include:

* Obesity directly accelerates the progression of leukemia

* Some chemotherapies accumulate in fat tissue, making less drug available to destroy leukemia cells

* Fat cells attract leukemia cells to areas like the bone marrow and fat tissue where they are harder to treat with chemotherapy

* Fat cells protect leukemia cells from a variety of chemotherapies – likely through secretion of survival molecules

According to Mittelman, who is also an associate professor at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, the increased incidence and worse prognosis experienced by obese individuals with cancer translates into more than a 50% increased risk of dying from cancer compared to their lean counterparts.  Given that leukemia is the most common cancer in children and that the incidence of childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions, there is an urgent need to intervene and prevent a potential increase in the number of children dying from leukemia.

“Our immediate goal is to develop strategies to counteract these effects of fat cells and obesity,” said Ehsan Ehsanipour, who is a master’s student in the Mittelman lab, and first author on the Cancer Research paper.  “For example, forms of ASNase which break down glutamine faster might have a better effect in obese children.” Other projected clinical studies include testing whether diet or exercise could help the prognosis of obese pediatric patients with leukemia.

This work was financially supported by the Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation, the NIH/NCI and the NIH NCRR CTSI.

 

About Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles has been named the best children’s hospital in California and among the top five in the nation for clinical excellence with its selection to the prestigious US News & World Report Honor Roll.  Children’s Hospital is home to The Saban Research Institute, one of the largest and most productive pediatric research facilities in the United States, is one of America’s premier teaching hospitals and has been affiliated with the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California since 1932.

For more information, visit www.CHLA.org.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

No Comments

    Leave a Comment


    SCV NONPROFIT LINKS

    NONPROFIT HEADLINES
    Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
    The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
    Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
    Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
    Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
    Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
    Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
    Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
    Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.

    Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
    1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
    Bouquet Reservoir
    The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
    California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
    The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
    April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
    The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
    March 27 Ocean Water Warning
    As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
    SCVEDEC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
    Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
    April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
    Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
    SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
    California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
    Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
    Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
    March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
    Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
    April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
    The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
    Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
    California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
    State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
    1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
    C.A. Mentry
    The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
    March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
    Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
    Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
    College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
    Canyons Closes Out Ventura 7-2 in Final Home Match
    Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce with the Latino Business Alliance at the Cinco de Mayo Networking Celebration on Tuesday, May 7.
    May 7: Latino Business Alliance Cinco de Mayo Celebration
    The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control is hosting March Meowness promotion where all cat adoptions are just $15 from now until April 9.
    Adopt a Cat During March Meowness at Castaic Animal Center
    California State University, Northridge is partnering with the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and the Tataviam Land Conservancy to battle the impact of climate change in disadvantaged communities throughout the San Fernando Valley by establishing “urban forests.”
    CSUN Partners with Fernandeño Tataviam Band to Build Urban Forests
    Join the Santa Clarita Artists Association on Monday, April 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 23630 Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355, for the SCAA monthly meeting and guest demonstrator.
    April 15: SCAA Presents Debbie Abshear Watercolor Demo
    Residents are invited to join members of the Santa Clarita City Council for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the addition of Santa Clarita's 38th park, Skyline Ranch Park, 18355 Skyline Ranch Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351, to the Santa Clarita parks system on Saturday, April 6, at 10 a.m.
    April 6: Grand Opening for Santa Clarita’s 38th Park
    The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center is preparing for the annual fundraising event, Celebrity Waiter, with the theme “California Dreamin’” on Saturday, April 27 at Bella Vida, 27180 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351.
    Table Sponsorships Still Available for Celebrity Waiter Dinner
    Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
    Ken Striplin | A Fun, Festive, Egg-Filled Day
    SCVNews.com