Biphosphonates may prevent radiation-induced leukaemia

Washington, Apr 20 (ANI): A new study has revealed that treatment with biphosphonates could prevent radiation-induced leukaemia.

Lead researcher Dr Alexandra Miller, a senior scientist at the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, said that the study will not only help military and space agency personnel exposed to risky levels of radiation, it will also be beneficial for civilian populations.

"It is possible, although not yet proven, that the compound we studied could have a general effect on leukemia associated with causes other than radiation, such as age, which is much more common," said Miller.

During the study, the research team studied biphosphonates known to scientists as ethane-1-hydroxy-1, 1-biphosphonate (EHBP) and carballylic amido bis phosphonic acid (CAPBP).

Biphosphonates have emerged as an attractive chemopreventive agent due to earlier research that suggests they prevent bone metastasis and because they have an ability to remove uranium from the body.

The researchers irradiated laboratory mice at 3.5 Gy and found that all of the mice who were not treated with either EHBP or CAPBP developed leukemia.

By contrast, if they were treated with six doses of EHBP only 75 percent of mice developed leukemia. Similarly, only 65 percent of mice treated with CAPBP developed leukemia.

The study was presented at the American Association for Cancer Research 100th Annual Meeting 2009. (ANI)