New signaling pathway for programmed cell death identified in leukemia cells

When adults develop blood cancer, they are frequently diagnosed with what is referred to as acute myeloid leukemia. The disease is triggered by pathological alterations of bone marrow cells, in which, in addition, an important mechanism is out of action: these cells do not die when they are damaged. Researchers have now discovered a molecular signaling pathway for self-destruction that is suppressed in leukemia cells.