ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — A latest research hyperlinks taurine, an amino acid made by the physique and an ingredient present in a number of kinds of meals, to the expansion of blood and bone marrow cancers like leukemia.

The analysis staff, headed by Jeevisha Bajaj on the College of Rochester’s Wilmot Most cancers Institute, found that taurine is made by sure regular cells within the bone marrow, which is the place myeloid cancers begin and develop. As a result of leukemia cells can’t produce taurine on their very own, they depend upon different genes to acquire it and transport it to the most cancers cells.

Researchers stopped leukemia progress in mice and human cells through the use of genetic strategies to dam taurine from coming into most cancers cells.

“We are very excited about these studies because they demonstrate that targeting uptake by myeloid leukemia cells may be a possible new avenue for treatment of these aggressive diseases,” Bajaj stated in a Could press launch revealed by the College of Rochester Medical Heart.

Researchers found that when leukemia cells take up taurine, it enhances the breakdown of glucose for vitality, which helps most cancers progress. Earlier research didn’t point out that taurine could possibly be concerned in most cancers.

The place is taurine generally discovered?

Researchers famous that taurine is an amino acid naturally current in bone marrow, the mind, the center and muscle mass.

It is usually present in meals like meat, fish, eggs, vitality drinks and protein powders.

What’s subsequent for the analysis of taurine?

Earlier than this research, one analysis article attributed by the College of Rochester recommended that taurine dietary supplements would possibly assist some gastric most cancers sufferers by enhancing their immune system.

A Wilmot oncologist states that researchers nonetheless want to know how leukemia cells are reprogrammed to realize vitality and resist remedy.

“Since taurine is a typical ingredient in vitality drinks and is usually offered as a complement to mitigate the negative effects of chemotherapy, our work means that it could be of curiosity to fastidiously take into account the advantages of supplemental taurine in leukemia sufferers,” the Wilmot staff stated.

Bajaj famous that future research ought to examine ranges of taurine in folks with leukemia.

“Our current data suggest that it would be helpful to develop stable and effective ways to block taurine from entering leukemia cells,” she stated.