Aberdeen scientists given boost in ‘mysterious’ blood cancer study

Scientists from Aberdeen have been given a boost in their research into a little-known blood cancer.

The University of Aberdeen and Queen’s University Belfast have been awarded a £280,000 funding boost from Blood Cancer UK.

Blood cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer in the UK, and certain versions of it remain mysterious. In particular, not much is understood about the causes of a group of blood cancers called myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN).

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This is despite the fact that they affect approximately 4,000 people in the UK every year. The University of Aberdeen’s Professor Lesley Anderson and her team plan to look at data and samples from people with MPN to identify how small changes in our DNA might be responsible for causing the disease.

Many cancers are caused by genetic alterations that people are born with, as well as things that they are exposed to during their life.

Professor Anderson’s team will also look at environmental factors such as where these people live, what job they do and other factors as these things can “turn on” or “turn off” genes, which can also influence the chance of someone developing some cancers.

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In order to carry out the research, they will use the world’s largest case-control study of MPNs (the MOSAICC study).

It will involve one group that has MPN and another that doesn’t. The team will look at interactions between genes and the environment. The work will also include 50 samples of a new approach to identify these genetic and environmental changes.

Professor Anderson said: “This research is important as it has the potential to help increase our understanding of how MPN develops. Using data and samples from patients across the UK could help us prevent MPNs, improve diagnosis and develop new and better ways to treat people with the disease.

“Ultimately, it could mean that people with MPNs can be diagnosed faster and given better treatments that more effectively target the cancer.”

Sarah McDonald, Deputy Director of Research at Blood Cancer UK, said: “Blood cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer in the UK, with 40,000 diagnosed every year, yet so many people are unaware that MPNs are a blood cancer. Understanding the genetics underpinning the development of blood cancers will help us develop new treatments against the disease.”