Researchers at Vanderbilt University have identified a promising approach to preventing blood cancer in older adults by inhibiting the TCL1A gene. The discoveries, shared in Nature, suggest a path to slow or halt the development of malignant blood cell growth by targeting this specific gene.
Leveraging data from more than 5,000 individuals, the study pinpointed TCL1A as a key driver in the rapid division of abnormal blood cells. Therapies designed to suppress TCL1A activity could potentially curb cancer cell proliferation and limit disease progression.
The researchers explain that aging is linked with the accumulation of genetic mutations in various cells. While many of these mutations are harmless, a notable fraction of older people harbor mutations in blood-forming stem cells that increase the risk of both blood cancer and cardiovascular disease. By understanding how TCL1A contributes to these changes, scientists aim to develop interventions that reduce risk or delay onset.
Interestingly, some individuals carry a variant of TCL1A that prevents the gene from activating. In these cases, the protective effect appears to lower the likelihood of developing blood cancer, underscoring TCL1A’s role as a potential therapeutic target and a biomarker for risk assessment. The findings open avenues for personalized prevention strategies and future drug development that focuses on this gene.