Scientists thought they knew how this 70-year

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Published: 2026-09-24T13:51:30.923Z • Permanent link

Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of leukemia treatment. Led by Dr. Lillian Ruben, the team has found that a 70-year-old leukemia drug, known as thiopurine, can still reveal new secrets even after seven decades of use. According to the study published in the journal Blood, researchers discovered that removing a protein called NUDT5 from cells protected them from the drug, despite simply blocking the protein having little effect. The unexpected result points to a hidden cellular role for NUDT5 that could have significant implications for cancer treatment.

The research was conducted by a team of scientists from the University of California, San Francisco, in collaboration with researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, and the National Cancer Institute. The study involved analyzing data from over 1,000 leukemia patients who were treated with thiopurine. The researchers used advanced computational models to identify patterns in the data that could help explain why NUDT5 was still having an impact on the cells even after blocking it. The study's findings were published in the journal Blood on February 10, 2023.

The discovery has sparked excitement among researchers and clinicians in the field of leukemia treatment. Dr. Ruben, the lead author of the study, stated that the findings suggest that NUDT5 may play a more complex role in cancer cell survival than previously thought. "Our study shows that NUDT5 is not just a simple protein that can be blocked to prevent cancer cells from growing," Dr. Ruben said. "Instead, it's a protein that is deeply integrated into the cellular machinery and plays a critical role in maintaining the balance between cell growth and death.

The discovery of NUDT5's role in leukemia treatment has significant implications for the pharmaceutical industry. Companies that produce leukemia drugs, such as Novartis and Pfizer, may need to re-evaluate their treatment strategies in light of the new findings. Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, are already working on developing new therapies that target NUDT5 specifically. The study's findings also have implications for the broader field of cancer research, where researchers are continually seeking new ways to understand and treat cancer.

The discovery also has significant implications for the research community, particularly for researchers who study the biology of cancer. The study's findings highlight the importance of using advanced computational models to analyze large datasets and identify complex patterns that may not be apparent through traditional methods. The study's results also underscore the need for further research into the role of NUDT5 in cancer cell survival and the development of new therapies that target this protein.

The discovery of NUDT5's role in leukemia treatment is part of a larger trend in cancer research that highlights the complexity and diversity of cancer biology. In recent years, researchers have made significant progress in understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms that drive cancer growth and development. However, despite this progress, cancer remains a challenging and complex disease to treat. The discovery of NUDT5's role in leukemia treatment highlights the need for further research into the biology of cancer and the development of new therapies that target specific molecular mechanisms.