#blood cancer

[mindblowingscience]

The Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) protein mediates signaling from several cytokine receptors in the regulation of hematopoiesis and immune responses. Somatic mutations in human JAK2 lead to constitutive activation and cytokine-independent signaling and underlie several hematological malignancies from myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) to acute leukemia and lymphomas. JAK2 contains an active kinase domain and an inactive pseudokinase domain. Interestingly, pathogenic mutations mainly occur in the regulatory pseudokinase domain. Due to its critical pathogenic role, JAK2 has become an important therapeutic target. The four currently approved JAK2 inhibitors relieve symptoms but do not heal the patient or affect survival. These drugs target the highly conserved kinase domain and affect both normal and mutated JAK2 and, due to side effects, carry a black box warning that limits their use in elderly, cardiac and cancer patients. The selective inhibition of pathogenic JAK2 is a key pending goal in drug discovery that requires a precise mechanistic understanding of the regulation of JAK2 activation.

Continue Reading.

[levikra]

I have Acute Lymphoblastic Leukosis aka Blood Cancer

buckle up :D

This post should've been here for sometime now cuz I prefer keeping everyone updated across all the platforms that I use as an artist.

So - Hi! My name is Evein, on 1st of May 2023 I turned 21 and since then, from 5th of May my health decided to pull a quick one on me, propelling the events that currently make me reside at the hospital with an oncology.

It all started with a tonsillitis-like fever, accompanied by furunclosis in three places on my body, a high fever that lasted for 5 days in the first half of May itself and other unpleasant symptoms. It felt weird, I've never had such an intense streak of sicknesses kick my ass like that, but of course - I went to doctors to get checked, the classic blood testings and general examinations and stuff.

That's when on 10th of May my blood test was checked by a dermatologist regarding my furuncle problem and - after some brief moments of her talking with the main doctor at the clinic - I was rushed to the governmential hospital due to the fact that my blood results had... no white blood cells. Literally 1.83 at the accepted range being much higher than that.

Needless to say I was fucking shocked, I've never dealt with the severity of the situation and let alone while being completely on my own as a human person (working, living, providing for myself, you call it).

At the hospital, after several examinations and another blood test came the recommendation paper that doctors signed with urgency, first and foremost I needed to get to an appointment at the hematologist's. That I did on 14th of May and since that point of time, till 19th, I'd been monitored, given antibiotics for my tonsillitis-like symptoms, along with my furunclosis and after 19th we ruled out the condition to be leukosis, became my white blood cells started coming back to normal with the antibiotics aiding my immunity, but despite that - thr condition still seemed as something more reminiscent of mononucleosis (which, however, in another blood test was disproven).

After exactly a week of feeling better, albeit dealing with leftover anemia, I started developing the same symptoms back and even worse, to the point of losing consciousness and thrwoing up in an elevator on 29th of May after going out for the second pack of antibiotics my hematologist had then already approved of to use to help out.

That's when I was rushed to the hospital again and - the next day - my hematologist arranged an appointment at the big clinic that has an oncology ward specifically for my situation. On 1st of June I was officially admitted with Acute Leukosis (the diagnosis doc attached is in Russian).

Since 1st of June the treatment has been ongoing, I've received three rounds of chemo along with supporting hormonal abd antibiotic therapy. Me is balding too, ofc. :D

And thus, this story leads to a logical question - what's now?

It's day 24 of my treatment, out of 4-6 weeks of inital induction period of leukosis' treatment (the overall chemotherapy to destroy tumor cells down to <5% in my bone marrow). After the induction period, if it's proven to lead to remissions - I'm then admitted out to certain periods of time in between infusions + need to take supporting medicine by myself (hence buying it too).

As an independent freelance artist who's existence is tied to being able to do creative work out of, well, any circumstances, I was sadly forced into situation of asking for monetary support, simply because it's stupid to expect to break your own back trying to work harder when you're body is collapsing on itself.

I have a goal on Boosty open for donations and I deeply appreciate ANY and I mean ANY traction of this post. I made a similar thread on Twitter covering the situation and have recieved a lotnof incredible support that has helped me a LOT so far, but my treatment is ongoing, or to be precise - will last in its entirety for 2-3 years. With the momentary help I was able to secure my living situation and get my pet cat to live for the current time period at my friend's, but you understand how that is just a temporary measure and, of course, I don't plan on stall myself - I simply just can't afford that even while hospitalised.

BOOSTY is very sus when it comes to singular donations higher than 120$ but if you happen to donate below that or in several different ones to bypass their antifraud system (only if you wish to) - the link to a goal is here -

[millenniallust4death]

Multiple Myeloma March: Week 3 Update

I haven't updated about the Multiple Myeloma March in a bit so here's a short recap of how we are doing. Here's a link to my original post.

By the Numbers:

Total Donations: $1,522!

Ranking: #7 in the Top Ten Fundraisers

Steps Taken: 140,475 of 200K in sweltering Wheatley (70% done!)

News: I asked if we could join the Windsor-Essex March team so that our donations will used to support a specific Multiple Myeloma project at the University of Windsor. Dr. Lisa Porter's project is titled, "Establishing a Multiple Myeloma Drug Screening Platform to Predict Patient Response to Therapy". I'll share more information about the project in a future post. (The University of Windsor is my local university.) I think universities partnering with Myeloma Canada and local March teams is a really neat idea.

Thank you to everyone for so generously supporting us! We really appreciate it. Martin postcards are in the mail so you have something small to look forward to!

Donate: Here's the donation link if you would like to support us (and feel you can afford to do so).

[fooltemps]

Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Flags!!

This flag was designed by us, as we currently have a family member with Leukemia and wish to bring awareness to this kind of cancer.

color meaning:

#FF2D34: Myeloma

#00DC0E: Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

#FF8C2E: Leukemia

#D12DFF: Hodgkin Lymphoma

Below is information all about Leukemia and Lymphoma Cancers.

Leukemia and Lymphoma are both cancers that are not associated with a tumor. Lymphomas are cancers that affect the lymph system and start in cells called lymphocytes. Leukemia is a cancer of the early blood-forming tissues, including your bone marrow and lymph system.

There are many types of lymphoma. Some grow and spread slowly and some are more aggressive. There are two main types of Lymphoma:

1. Hodgkin Lymphoma is cancer that starts in the B lymphocytes (B cells) of the lymph system. Your lymph system helps you fight infection and control the fluids in your body.

2. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) is cancer that starts in the lymphocytes anywhere lymph tissue is found:

Lymph nodes

Spleen

Bone marrow

Thymus

Adenoids and tonsils, or

The digestive track.

Leukemia typically involves white blood cells, the cells that are your infection fighters. Leukemia can be divided into categories: fast growing (acute) and slow growing (chronic); and by which white blood cells are affected:

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)

A screening test is used to detect cancers in people who may be at higher risk for developing the disease. With leukemia and lymphoma, there are no early detection tests. The best way to find them is to be aware of the symptoms:

Swollen lymph nodes which can appear as a lump in the neck, armpit or groin;

Fever

Night sweats

Weight loss without trying, and

Fatigue.

Leukemia can have similar symptoms but also can include:

Easy bleeding or bruising;

Recurring nosebleeds; and

Bone pain or tenderness

Myeloma is cancer of the plasma cells. Plasma cells are white blood cells that produce disease- and infection-fighting antibodies in your body. Myeloma cells prevent the normal production of antibodies, leaving your body's immune system weakened and susceptible to infection. The multiplication of myeloma cells also interferes with the normal production and function of red and white blood cells. An abnormally high amount of these dysfunctional antibodies in the bloodstream can cause kidney damage. Additionally, the myeloma cells commonly produce substances that cause bone destruction, leading to bone pain and/or fractures.

Myeloma cells are produced in the bone marrow, the soft tissue inside your bones. Sometimes myeloma cells will travel through your blood stream and collect in other bones in your body. Because myeloma frequently occurs at many sites in the bone marrow, it is often referred to as multiple myeloma.

Signs and symptoms of myeloma include the following:

Hypercalcemia (excessive calcium in the blood)

Anemia (shortage or reduced function of red blood cells)

Renal damage (kidney failure)

Susceptibility to infection

Osteoporosis, bone pain, bone swelling, or fracture

High protein levels in the blood and/or urine

Weight loss

In 2022, more than 62,650 people are expected to be diagnosed with leukemia. In addition:

Leukemia accounts for 3.6% of all new cancer cases.

The overall 5-year survival rate for leukemia has more than quadrupled since 1960.

62.7% of leukemia patients survive 5 years or more.

The diagnosis of leukemia requires specific blood tests, including an examination of cells in the blood and marrow.

Treatment and prognosis depend on the type of blood cell affected and whether the leukemia is acute or chronic. Chemotherapy and blood and marrow transplant are often used to treat leukemia.

If you wish to read more about Leukemia and Lymphoma cancer, please visit this website!

[chasing-dreams-since-1995]

So not to scare anyone but there is a slight chance that I might have cancer. It’s blood cancer type related due to my bone marrow problems and my high platelet count and high white blood cell count. I won’t know for sure if I have cancer or not until I get my test results back in a couple of weeks. Let’s pray it comes back negative.

[canadiankazz]

Hi everyone! I'm taking part in The World's Greatest Shave this year. On September 28, I'm going to shave my head to help raise money for the Leukeamia Foundation. If you are able to donate, it would be greatly appreciated!

(You may share this page)

Thank you!

[thisiswhatafighterlookslike]

The Pressure To Be Brave

"You Are So Brave!" How often have we heard this said to us? Most times, people truly mean well when they say this. They are doing their best to be encouraging from their perspective of things. However, for many of us who are surviving cancer daily, those four words are filled with so much pressure and expectation.

When people see us maintaining our lives, managing families, enduring all the craziness that comes with living with this disease, they see bravery! Well, there is truth to that. But the real truth is we are just giving our all to live every day and live our best! It takes a lot of work just to maintain our "normal" lives.

Am I a superhero?

Indeed, we are strong and courageous. We fight uncommon battles for our lives absolutely every day. However, knowing that people can see you as this 'cancer superhero' and being given this subconscious permission to be brave, #BeatCancer, #KickCancersButt, #FightLikeAGirl, and all the other awesome hashtags can be overwhelming!

We didn't choose this fight

We definitely appreciate the love and encouragement! But the reality is that some days we are just SICK! There is nothing we can do about it and to be honest, we don't even have the energy to do anything. We get weak. Not tired but fatigued; downright exhausted! We have mood swings. We battle depression and sometimes it actually fights back...and wins! LOL!!!!

We deal with feeling isolated and alone. We are oftentimes in pain. We are in agony, and it doesn't always go away. Some of us live in pain. We lose weight and we gain weight! We lose our hair, our precious hair! Until you have experienced this, you just have no idea what this does to someone. We think about our mortality more times than the average person does.

Tell me it's going to be okay!

So, it's not that we don't want to be told we are brave. Here is the thing, we know living with cancer requires a special measure of bravery. We know we are brave. But it would mean so much more if we heard, "It's going to be okay", "it's ok to feel how you are feeling", or "no matter how you feel today, I will be here to help and support you!"

Our loved ones believe they keep us strong by coaching us through this and pushing us. If they just speak positively and keep us thinking about how we "should" think then we will feel and live how we are supposed to. Please remember we are human beings with real feelings, who happen to be surviving cancer daily. Just let us be that that's how we are Brave!

Leya R. Elijah

This Is What a Fighter Looks Like

CEO/Founder

[mak-and-chill]

Join the fight against blood cancer!

I am participating in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Student Visionaries of the Year campaign to raise money and awareness for blood cancer patients & their families. 

Our campaign is coming close to an end so PLEASE consider donating! Even just a dollar is greatly appreciated!

My fundraising page link: https://events.lls.org/ga/svoyaugust24/MDowd

Thank you for your support!

[bloodcanceruncensored]

Market Research on Car T Therapy--a paid study for USA residents from Health Union

This opportunity was sent to us by our friends at Social Health Network Blood-Cancer.com is conducting a market research study on behalf of a sponsor, to understand the treatment experiences of blood cancer patients who have received or discussed CAR T therapy. If you complete the screening survey and qualify for the study, you may be asked to participate in a 30-minute interview, which would be…

[onlinecancerguide]

Which Type of Blood Cancer Is the Most Deadly?

Hearing the word "cancer" can be terrifying, but when it comes to blood cancer, understanding the most dangerous types can help with early detection and better treatment options. Blood cancer affects the body's ability to produce and regulate blood cells, leading to severe complications. Some types are treatable, while others are more aggressive and harder to control.

But which type of blood cancer is the deadliest? Let’s dive into the different types, their risks, and the latest advancements in treatment.

What Are the Different Types of Blood Cancer?

Blood carcinoma is a broad term that includes several types, each affecting different parts of the blood and immune system. The three main categories are:

Leukaemia – Affects the white blood cells and starts in the bone marrow.

Lymphoma – Affects the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system.

Multiple Myeloma – Affects plasma cells, which help fight infections.

Each type has different subcategories and levels of severity. Some progress slowly, while others are highly aggressive and life-threatening.

Which Blood Cancer Has the Highest Fatality Rate?

While all blood cancers are serious, acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is considered the most dangerous. AML is aggressive and spreads rapidly, making it difficult to treat.

Why Is AML So Deadly?

It progresses quickly, often within weeks.

The cancerous cells interfere with normal blood cell production.

It weakens the immune system, making infections more common.

Treatment is challenging, especially in older adults.

Without immediate treatment, AML can lead to life-threatening complications. However, with early detection, some patients respond well to therapy.

What Are the Stages of Blood Cancer?

Like other types of cancer, blood cancer stages help determine how far the disease has spread. Unlike solid tumours, blood cancers don’t always have traditional staging systems, but they are generally classified as:

Early Stage – Abnormal blood cells are present, but symptoms may be mild or absent.

Intermediate Stage – Cancer cells are spreading, and symptoms become noticeable.

Advanced Stage – The disease has significantly progressed, affecting multiple organs and overall health.

Lymphomas and multiple myeloma use specific staging systems, such as the Ann Arbor Staging System for lymphoma and the Revised International Staging System (R-ISS) for multiple myeloma.

What Are the Symptoms of Blood Cancer?

The symptoms of blood carcinoma can often be mistaken for other common illnesses, making early detection difficult. Here are some warning signs to watch for:

Persistent fatigue and weakness

Unexplained weight loss

Frequent infections or fevers

Easy bruising or bleeding

Swollen lymph nodes

Bone pain or joint pain

Shortness of breath

How Is Blood Cancer Treated?

Blood cancer treatment depends on the type, stage, and overall health of the patient. The most common treatments include:

1. Chemotherapy

A powerful medicine treatment that kills cancer cells but may cause side effects like nausea, hair loss, and fatigue.

2. Targeted Therapy

This approach targets specific cancer cells while minimising damage to healthy cells.

3. Immunotherapy

Boosts the body’s immune system to fight cancer more effectively.

4. Bone Marrow Transplant

Replaces diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells to help the body produce normal blood cells.

5. Advanced Treatment Options

Newer treatments like Darzalex injection that contains the active ingredient Daratumumab, a targeted therapy for multiple myeloma, have shown promising results in improving survival rates.

The selection of treatment is influenced by factors such as age, overall health, and how the cancer responds to initial therapy.

What Increases the Risk of Blood Cancer?

Some factors may increase the risk of developing blood cancer, including:

Age – The risk increases with age, especially for leukaemia and multiple myeloma.

Genetics – A family history of blood cancer can raise the risk.

Radiation Exposure – High doses of radiation may trigger mutations leading to cancer.

Chemical Exposure – Pesticides, benzene, and other toxic chemicals can contribute to blood cancer development.

Weakened Immune System – People with autoimmune diseases or individuals receiving immunosuppressive treatments face a greater risk.

While some risk factors cannot be controlled, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and undergoing regular check-ups can improve early detection and treatment outcomes.

Are There Ways to Prevent Blood Cancer?

While there is no guaranteed way to prevent blood cancer, adopting certain lifestyle habits may reduce the risk:

Maintain a Healthy Diet – Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins to support overall immune function.

Avoid Harmful Chemicals – Reduce exposure to toxins, pesticides, and benzene.

Exercise Regularly – Staying active helps strengthen the immune system.

Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol – Both are linked to an elevated risk of various cancers, including blood cancer.

Get Regular Check-Ups – Routine medical exams can help detect early signs of cancer.

Although prevention is not always possible, these steps can contribute to better overall health.

Final Thoughts

Blood cancer is a complex disease with various types and levels of severity. Among them, acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is considered the most deadly due to its rapid progression and difficulty in treatment. However, advances in cancer medicines, including immunotherapy and targeted therapies, offer hope for better survival rates.

If you or someone you know is at risk, early detection and timely treatment can make a significant difference. Staying informed, adopting healthy habits, and seeking medical advice when needed can help improve the well-being of individuals impacted by blood cancer.

[bpod-bpod]

In a Bind

Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer affecting plasma cells, white blood cells that produce antibodies, causing them to multiply abnormally in the bone marrow. Right now, only half of patients can expect to survive five years after diagnosis, so better treatments are sorely needed. Promising targets include fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs), a multi-functional family of proteins that can pick up lipids, involved in a variety of processes. A recent study found that cultured myeloma cells (pictured, their nuclei in blue) expressed high levels of one member in particular, FABP5 (in red); blocking it reduced cell proliferation, while patients with higher FABP5 levels tended to experience worse outcomes. Inhibiting FABPs more broadly appeared even more effective, improving survival in some mice with myeloma. To build on these results, further research needs to investigate why not all mice responded so well, and whether inhibiting FABPs would be safe and effective in humans.

Written by Emmanuelle Briolat

Image from work by Mariah Farrell and colleagues

Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Health Institute for Research, Scarborough, ME, USA

Image originally published with a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Published in eLife, March 2023

You can also follow BPoD on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

[plunes-healthcare]

Blood cancer is all about new, abnormal blood cells or immature bone marrow cells multiplying rapidly and abnormally. This leads to an interference in healthy cell production in the body. Such abnormal cell multiplication leads to different blood cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Improving survival rates means awareness, timely diagnosis, and proper care have become crucial for favourable outcomes.

[fooltemps]

Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Userboxes!!

free to use by anyone! credit not needed but appreciated

leukemia flag here!

[dpmi-paramedical-courses]

How to cure Blood Cancer

Blood cancer involves advanced medical treatments, depending on the type and stage of the cancer. While some types of blood cancer can be cured, others can be managed effectively for years. Here’s an overview of the most common treatments available for Blood Cancer.

Chemotherapy

How It Works: Uses drugs (Radioisotopes) to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing.

Used For: Almost all blood cancers, especially Leukemia and Lymphoma.

Process: Administered intravenously, orally or as injections in cycles.

Side Effects: Fatigue, nausea, hair loss and infection risk.

Radiation Therapy

How It Works: High-energy Radiation targets Cancer cells to kill them or shrink tumors.

Used For: Often combined with Chemotherapy, EBRT and IBRT or used before a stem cell transplant.

Process: Delivered externally to the affected area.

Stem Cell Transplant

How It Works: Replaces damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells from the patient (autologous) or a donor (allogeneic).

Used For: High-risk cases like Leukemia, Lymphoma, or Multiple Myeloma.

Process: Involves chemotherapy or radiation to destroy diseased cells before transplantation.

Success Rate: Can cure certain Blood Cancers, especially in younger and healthier patients.

Immunotherapy

How It Works: Boosts the immune system to fight cancer cells.

Examples:

CAR-T Cell Therapy: Genetically modifies T-cells to attack cancer cells.

Monoclonal Antibodies: Targets specific proteins on cancer cells.

Used For: Various blood cancers, especially when other treatments fail.

Targeted Therapy

How It Works: Focuses on specific genes or proteins in cancer cells.

Examples:

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., imatinib for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia).

Used For: Certain types of Leukemia and Lymphoma.

Supportive Therapies

Blood transfusions to manage anemia.

Antibiotics to prevent infections.

Growth factors to boost white blood cells.

Lifestyle and Complementary Steps

Healthy Diet: Nutrient-rich foods to support the immune system.

Exercise: Gentle activities to improve stamina.

Stress Management: Counseling, meditation, or support groups.

Avoid Infections: Follow hygiene protocols during treatment.

Follow up

Diagnosis and Staging: Tests like blood work, bone marrow biopsy, and imaging determine the type and stage.

Specialist Care: Consult an oncologist specializing in hematology.

Treatment Plan: Tailored to your needs based on age, health, and cancer type.

Modern medicine has made many blood cancers treatable or curable. Consult a medical professional for a personalized treatment plan.

[neosciencehub]

India approved a living drug to treat Blood Cancer

India approved a living drug to treat Blood Cancer @neosciencehub #India #BloodCancer #CDSCO #livingdrug #Qartemi #neosciencehub

For Indian patients with blood cancer who are at an advanced or relapsed stage of the disease, a “living drug” has been licensed. Patients with B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B-NHL) can now receive Qartemi, a CAR-T cell therapy, thanks to Immuneel Therapeutics, a biotech business based in Bengaluru. After the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) authorized the indigenous NexCAR19,…