Possible origin of chronic lymphatic leukemia identified

ScienceDaily (Apr. 11, 2012) — Up until now the causes of the development of chronic lymphatic leukemia, the most common form of cancer of the blood in Europe, have been unknown. At present a cure is not possible. A research group at the MedUni Vienna led by Christoph Steininger of the University Department of Internal Medicine I has now however discovered a lead on the origin of this disease. Says Steiniger: "This could influence the therapy approach taken in treating chronic lymphatic leukemia."

For approximately 20 years it has been suspected that chronic lymphatic leukemia occurs through the stimulation of B cells with other factors also playing a part. In the current research study, which has been published in the journal "Blood," the scientists were looking for an antigen that attaches itself to the leukemia cell receptors and they were able to identify the protein pUL32 of the human cytomegalovirus.

Virus "conceals" itself in cells

The cytomegalovirus, a member of the herpes family of viruses, is carried by approximately 60 to 70 percent of the Austrian population without them getting ill from it and without them even noticing that they are carrying the virus. In most cases people are infected with the virus during childhood. After being infected, the virus goes on to survive in the cells of the immune system their whole life long. The virus conceals itself within the cells and in addition it confuses the immune system with its own chemical messengers.

Only when the immune system in an infected person is weakened, for example by medical suppression as part of an organ transplant or in an HIV-illness, can the virus make someone ill. Whether this virus infection can trigger leukemia, or whether the connection observed between leukemia and the cytomegalovirus points to another mechanism, independent of the virus, in the origin of the cancer is now the subject of several follow-up studies.

One of the follow-up studies is looking at whether an antiviral treatment against the cytomegalovirus can prevent the leukemia cells from being stimulated and so prevent the further advance of the disease.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Medical University of Vienna, via AlphaGalileo.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

Journal Reference:

C. Steininger, G. F. Widhopf, E. M. Ghia, C. S. Morello, K. Vanura, R. Sanders, D. Spector, D. Guiney, U. Jager, T. J. Kipps. Recombinant antibodies encoded by IGHV1-69 react with pUL32, a phosphoprotein of cytomegalovirus and B-cell superantigen. Blood, 2012; 119 (10): 2293 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2011-08-374058

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

View the original article here

Possible origin of chronic lymphatic leukemia identified

ScienceDaily (Apr. 11, 2012) — Up until now the causes of the development of chronic lymphatic leukemia, the most common form of cancer of the blood in Europe, have been unknown. At present a cure is not possible. A research group at the MedUni Vienna led by Christoph Steininger of the University Department of Internal Medicine I has now however discovered a lead on the origin of this disease. Says Steiniger: "This could influence the therapy approach taken in treating chronic lymphatic leukemia."

For approximately 20 years it has been suspected that chronic lymphatic leukemia occurs through the stimulation of B cells with other factors also playing a part. In the current research study, which has been published in the journal "Blood," the scientists were looking for an antigen that attaches itself to the leukemia cell receptors and they were able to identify the protein pUL32 of the human cytomegalovirus.

Virus "conceals" itself in cells

The cytomegalovirus, a member of the herpes family of viruses, is carried by approximately 60 to 70 percent of the Austrian population without them getting ill from it and without them even noticing that they are carrying the virus. In most cases people are infected with the virus during childhood. After being infected, the virus goes on to survive in the cells of the immune system their whole life long. The virus conceals itself within the cells and in addition it confuses the immune system with its own chemical messengers.

Only when the immune system in an infected person is weakened, for example by medical suppression as part of an organ transplant or in an HIV-illness, can the virus make someone ill. Whether this virus infection can trigger leukemia, or whether the connection observed between leukemia and the cytomegalovirus points to another mechanism, independent of the virus, in the origin of the cancer is now the subject of several follow-up studies.

One of the follow-up studies is looking at whether an antiviral treatment against the cytomegalovirus can prevent the leukemia cells from being stimulated and so prevent the further advance of the disease.

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Medical University of Vienna, via AlphaGalileo.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

Journal Reference:

C. Steininger, G. F. Widhopf, E. M. Ghia, C. S. Morello, K. Vanura, R. Sanders, D. Spector, D. Guiney, U. Jager, T. J. Kipps. Recombinant antibodies encoded by IGHV1-69 react with pUL32, a phosphoprotein of cytomegalovirus and B-cell superantigen. Blood, 2012; 119 (10): 2293 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2011-08-374058

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

View the original article here

Suing for Herpes Adds Possible $350,000 Price Tag to Hook-up

Suing someone for inflicting bodily injury is covered under personal injury litigation. Suing for herpes may be a tort and personal injury rolled into one. An uptick in STD-related lawsuits shows that herpes and the law have met before.

Married Wisconsin Woman sues Lover for Herpes

The Gazette reports that a married woman (33) has filed a $350,000 suit against her paramour (35). Both people are married to other people. She alleges that during a one-time sexual encounter in the defendant's vehicle, he transmitted genital herpes to her. In her complaint, she claims "personal injury, intentional infection, emotional distress and assault and battery."

The man in question denies the allegations and suggests that she should check with her other partners or husband for the source of the infection. She counters by asserting that he and her husband have been her only sexual contacts over the past eight years. Unless a settlement is reached or the burden of proof remains unmet, there is a good chance that this case will make it to trial.

The Michael Vick/ Ron Mexico Suit

Suing for herpes is not new. Back in 2006, the AP -- as quoted by NBC Sports -- recounted the lawsuit of a woman, who claimed that Michael Vick, then the Atlanta Falcons quarterback, gave her the disease during unprotected intercourse. She further alleged that Vick knew of the disease and sought treatment under the name Ron Mexico. The suit was dropped after both parties "agreed to an undisclosed resolution."

Herpes and the Law Clash in Hollywood

Suing someone for the transmission of the herpes virus also takes place in Hollywood. TMZ recently broke the story of an unnamed "A-list celebrity" who stood accused of knowingly transmitting the disease to a casual hook-up partner. Attorney-guided negotiations netted the injured party a $5 million settlement.

$7 Million Jury Award

While the aforementioned cases resulted in settlements before being tried in court, suing someone for herpes can actually lead to a jury trial. KOLO TV reported in 2009 on a Riverside County (Calif.) jury that awarded a woman (56) $6.75 million for being exposed to -- and infected with -- herpes by her partner (77). The suit alleged that the man knew of his herpes infection "for more than 25 years" and still did not disclose the risk to the woman. Of the $6.75 million, $4 million were compensatory and $2.75 million represented punitive damages.

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