Projects we fund

Overview

Asparaginase is a vital anti-leukaemia drug, and forms an important part of the chemotherapy programme of most young people with leukaemia. However, it can cause pancreatitis, which is a serious inflammation of the pancreas, and once children develop this they cannot receive any more of the drug, which can then compromise their overall treatment. Dr Oleg Gerasimenko and his colleagues at Cardiff University are examining the ways in which Asparaginase causes pancreatitis, with the aim of protecting pancreatic cells from the effects of the drug. They have already shown that reduction of calcium levels improves the survival of pancreatic cells treated with alcohol or bile. Their early experiments have shown that these approaches can also protect pancreatic cells from the side-effects of the drug.

What difference will this project make?

The team will be testing two very promising approaches for the treatment of acute pancreatitis. Both of these has the potential to improve future treatments for children with leukaemia, and will help them avoid the side-effects. They are also working to develop ways of recognising which children are likely to get pancreatitis before they are exposed to Asparaginase, an approach that will enable doctors to offer alternative courses of treatment.