Blood cancer accelerates premature ageing in healthy bone marrow cells

Scientists found that leukaemia induces ageing of the local non-cancer environment.

Getty Images
LONDON: Blood cancer can accelerate ageing in healthy bone marrow cells, scientists have found for the first time, paving the way for anti-ageing drugs in the future.

It is well known that ageing promotes cancer development. However, this is the first time that the reverse has been shown to be true, according to researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA) in the UK.

The study, published in the journal Blood, shows that healthy bone marrow cells were prematurely aged by cancer cells around them.


The aged bone marrow cells accelerated the growth and development of the leukaemia -- creating a vicious cycle that fuels the disease.
Blood cancer accelerates ageing

The study also identified the mechanism by which this process of premature ageing occurs in the bone marrow of leukaemia patients and highlights the potential impact this could have on future treatments.

"Our results provide evidence that cancer causes ageing. We have clearly shown that the cancer cell itself drives the ageing process in the neighbouring non-cancer cells," said Stuart Rushworth from UEA.
ADVERTISEMENT

"Our research reveals that leukaemia uses this biological phenomenon to its advantage to accelerate the disease," said Rushworth.

NOX2, an enzyme usually involved in the body's response to infection, was shown to be present in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells -- and this was found to be responsible for creating the ageing conditions.

Food Items You Should Eat And Avoid, According To Your Blood Type
1/5
Consuming food based on your 'Blood Type' helps in better digestion, increases the energy levels, and prevents diseases and illnesses. Moreover, it also helps you lose weight.

Deepika Dua Arora, Dietitian Mutation Diet Clinic talks about the relationship between the blood group and nutritional aspect of food consumed.

Here are the food items you should consume and avoid, according to your blood group - A, B, O and AB.

(Image: ThinkStock)
Consuming food based on your 'Blood Type' helps in better digestion, increases the energy levels, and prevents diseases and illnesses. Moreover, it also helps you lose weight. Deepika Dua Arora, Die..
Read More
Consume: Meat, fish, eggs, kale, lettuce, broccoli, onions, pumpkins, turnip, red peppers, okra, garlic, ginger, cherries, figs, plums, prunes, raspberries, cranberries, gooseberries, animal protein, fermented foods, egg whites, chicken, sandwich, dhokla, kulcha, dosa, idli, etc.

Avoid: Spinach, cabbage, corn, cauliflower, eggplant, mushrooms, oranges, kiwi, strawberry, blackberry, coconut, green peas, peanut butter and wheat starch.
Consume: Meat, fish, eggs, kale, lettuce, broccoli, onions, pumpkins, turnip, red peppers, okra, garlic, ginger, cherries, figs, plums, prunes, raspberries, cranberries, gooseberries, animal protein,..
Read More
Consume: Rice, oats, rye, pasta, pumpkin, seeds, peanuts, apricots, figs, lemons, raisins, amaranth, buckwheat, wheat-based roughage, vegetarian food, wheat bran, brown rice, wheat pasta, brown poha, soya, besan chilla, etc.

Avoid: Banana, coconut, papaya, cashew, pistachios, beer, chicken, fish and eggs.
Consume: Rice, oats, rye, pasta, pumpkin, seeds, peanuts, apricots, figs, lemons, raisins, amaranth, buckwheat, wheat-based roughage, vegetarian food, wheat bran, brown rice, wheat pasta, brown poha,..
Read More
Consume: Green vegetables, eggs, low-fat dairy, oats, milk products, animal protein, oat bran, paneer, eggs, fish, oat meal and quinoa.

Avoid: Corn, buckwheat, tomatoes, peanuts, sesame seeds, wheat, chicken, fish and eggs.
Consume: Green vegetables, eggs, low-fat dairy, oats, milk products, animal protein, oat bran, paneer, eggs, fish, oat meal and quinoa. Avoid: Corn, buckwheat, tomatoes, peanuts, sesame seeds, wheat..
Read More
Consume: Tofu, seafood, yoghurt, goat milk, egg, walnuts, millets, oats, rye, spelt, sprouted wheat, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, cucumber, plums, berries, and combination foods like rice + daal, roti + daal, dalia, khichdi, and brown rice (pulav).

Avoid: Caffeine, alcohol, whole milk, buckwheat, corn, coconut, bananas, mangoes and black tea.

Starving and the gap in between meals does not suit this blood type.

(With inputs from ANI)
Consume: Tofu, seafood, yoghurt, goat milk, egg, walnuts, millets, oats, rye, spelt, sprouted wheat, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, cucumber, plums, berries, and combination foods like rice + daal, ro..
Read More

The research team established that the NOX2 enzyme generates superoxide which drives the ageing process.

ADVERTISEMENT
By inhibiting NOX2, researchers showed the reduction in aged neighbouring non-malignant cells resulted in slower cancer growth.

"It was not previously known that leukaemia induces ageing of the local non-cancer environment. We hope that this biological function can be exploited in future, paving the way for new drugs," said Rushworth.

ADVERTISEMENT
World Blood Donor Day: Nuts, Dairy And Other Iron-Rich Foods For Good Blood Count
1/7
Unexplained fatigue, weakness, headaches, breathlessness, racing heart, dizziness and poor appetite could be signs of low haemoglobin.

Haemoglobin is an iron-rich protein present in red blood cells which determines the blood count and oxygen level in the body.

Mostly menstruating or pregnant women, growing children, and patients recovering from illnesses are susceptible to haemoglobin deficiency. A well-balanced diet with iron-rich food items can work wonders to increase the quality of blood.

Dr Kajal Yeptho Pandya, head of Department of Dietetics at Medanta - The Medicity explains how each meal with a variety of foods and portion sizes can up the haemoglobin level and moderate calorie intake.
Unexplained fatigue, weakness, headaches, breathlessness, racing heart, dizziness and poor appetite could be signs of low haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is an iron-rich protein present in red blood cells ..
Read More
Dairy products provides proteins, vitamin D, and calcium for strong bones. Food items such as cheese, milk and yogurt are high in saturated fats. In order to moderate fat and calorie intake, it is best to choose low-fat or fat-free varieties of dairy foods.
Dairy products provides proteins, vitamin D, and calcium for strong bones. Food items such as cheese, milk and yogurt are high in saturated fats. In order to moderate fat and calorie intake, it is be..
Read More
Protein-rich foods include beans, lentils, peas, eggs, nuts, seeds, soy proteins like tofu, skin-removed fish, and lean meat & poultry with visible fat. Eggs provide multiple vitamins and minerals, and meat & poultry are high in iron. Fish should be consumed regularly, particularly fish high in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon and sardines. Legumes are a rich source of fibres. Prefer grilling, poaching, dry frying or steaming over deep frying to minimise addition of fat content.
Protein-rich foods include beans, lentils, peas, eggs, nuts, seeds, soy proteins like tofu, skin-removed fish, and lean meat & poultry with visible fat. Eggs provide multiple vitamins and minerals, a..
Read More
Fruits are fat-free, nutritious, low in calories and high in fibre. One must include 3-4 varieties of fruits such as beetroot, pomegranate, watermelon, apple, apricot, oranges, strawberries, papaya, grape fruit, banana, peach, mulberries, guava, litchis and kiwi to get a wide range of vitamins and minerals.
Fruits are fat-free, nutritious, low in calories and high in fibre. One must include 3-4 varieties of fruits such as beetroot, pomegranate, watermelon, apple, apricot, oranges, strawberries, papaya, ..
Read More
Veggies are low in calories, and high on vitamins and minerals. A wide variety of vegetables should be included in your meals (cooked or raw). Spinach, asparagus, broccoli, green peas, tomatoes, bell peppers, cauliflower, potatoes, fenugreek leaves and beans should be included in the diet daily.
Veggies are low in calories, and high on vitamins and minerals. A wide variety of vegetables should be included in your meals (cooked or raw). Spinach, asparagus, broccoli, green peas, tomatoes, bell..
Read More
Opt for carbohydrate-rich foods like breads, cereals, pasta and rice. One should choose whole-grain varieties as those are high in fibre, and contain more vitamins than the refined-versions. Cereals and breads enriched with iron, calcium or omega-3 are recommended to make the diet more nutritious.
Opt for carbohydrate-rich foods like breads, cereals, pasta and rice. One should choose whole-grain varieties as those are high in fibre, and contain more vitamins than the refined-versions. Cereals ..
Read More
While some amount of fat is necessary in our diet, it is important to get the right kind of fats. Nuts, seeds, avocados, and oil from canola, olive, peanut contain healthy fats and oils. Saturated and trans fats, found in meat, chicken, fatty beef, lamb, pork, poultry with skin, cream, butter, cheese, etc, should be minimised as they can put your heart at risk.
While some amount of fat is necessary in our diet, it is important to get the right kind of fats. Nuts, seeds, avocados, and oil from canola, olive, peanut contain healthy fats and oils. Saturated an..
Read More

Download
The Economic Times Business News App
for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
READ MORE
ADVERTISEMENT

READ MORE:

LOGIN & CLAIM

50 TIMESPOINTS

More from our Partners

Loading next story
Business News › Magazines › Panache › Blood cancer accelerates premature ageing in healthy bone marrow cells
Text Size:AAA
Success
This article has been saved

*

+