Czech researchers' discovery may help treat leukaemia

Prague, Feb 21 (CTK) - A unique discovery of Czech researchers, from the Institute of Molecular Genetics, may help treat leukaemia in the future, Czech Radio (CRo) has reported.

The scientists have described the principle of malignant cells' penetration from the bone marrow to the blood in case of acute myeloid leukaemia, the radio added.

"Leukaemic cells kill the surrounding cells, thereby they create a certain canal and bite through to the blood where they start spreading in the whole body," CRo cites institute head Vaclav Horejsi as saying.

It has been uncertain for long how leukaemic cells can get out of the bone marrow.

Some 400 people are annually diagnosed with acute leukaemia in the 10.5-million Czech Republic.

"The average survival rate after diagnosing the disease without treatment is maximally six months," Marek Trneny, from the Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, said.

Various types of leukaemia afflict the bone marrow where blood cells are produced. Leukaemic patients feel lethargic and they suffer from infections since their immunity is weakened.