Leukaemia cell 'breakthrough' offers treatment hope

Scientists believe they have made an important breakthrough in attempts to treat a form of childhood leukaemia.

In mice tests, Australian researchers found that a cell, which plays a key role in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, survives radiotherapy.

The Melbourne University team believes targeting this cell may help to stop this disease returning, but they warned much more research was needed.

UK experts said the findings may eventually lead to better care.

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is a rare form of leukaemia which is most common in older children and adolescents, although adults can also be affected.

About a fifth of children suffer relapses after radiation therapy.

In the tests, the team found that 99% of cells in the thymus, a small organ in the upper chest which helps protect people from infections and as a result plays a key role in leukaemia, were killed by radiation.

Resistance

But the Lmo2 gene was able to recover because of its stem-cell like properties, suggesting it could be responsible for the disease, the Science journal reported.

Lead researcher Dr Matthew McCormack said: "The cellular origins of this leukaemia are not well understood.

"Our discovery that these cells are similar to normal stem cells explains why they are capable of surviving for long periods.

"It also explains why they are remarkably resistant to treatment."

The team is now planning to focus on novel treatment capable of killing these cells, but warns it is still many years away from clinical trials.

Ken Campbell, of Leukaemia Research, said: "This is an interesting piece of research that increases our understanding of this small sub-set of childhood leukaemia patients.

"However, while the research could reduce relapse rates in the future for this group, it is likely that current treatment regimes will continue to be used."

Rare warbler found in Afghanistan

Scientists say they have for the first time discovered a breeding site for the world's least-known bird species.

Little is known about the large-billed reed warbler, but researchers have found a thriving flock of the birds in a remote corner of Afghanistan.

Robert Timmins from the US based Wildlife Conservation Society discovered them when he was conducting a survey in the area.

The tiny brown bird, first spotted in 1867, has not been seen since 2006.

Mr Timmins says one of the reasons why so little is known about these birds is that they are often mistaken for other types of warblers and they are a very private species.

"Reed warblers are very good at hiding and they don't like to be seen. They usually like to skulk in thick vegetation", he said.

Mr Timmins taped the rhythmic song of these reed warblers, and with colleagues used the recording to entice other members of the colony from their hiding places.

DNA analysis confirmed this was a distinct breeding population of the large-billed variety.

While the scientists are excited by the discovery, they are concerned about the long-term survival of these birds.

Ironically the ongoing war and the remoteness of their location have helped their survival - but according to Mr Timmins, this might change.

"We don't wish a war-like situation on anybody. But once peace comes and development starts, you really do have to think about what will happen to the natural environment," he said.

As well as a flood of new information about the large-billed reed warbler, this discovery will hearten researchers that species can survive in even the most difficult of environments - there may well be other birds out there that have been presumed extinct, but are in fact surviving in some remote corner.