Researchers discovered that different genetic drivers of leukemia use the same compartments inside the cell nucleus to keep cancer growing. The finding points to a shared physical target that could inspire new kinds of treatments.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects approximately 29 million people in the U.S. and is the fourth leading cause of death. Mucus plugging (mucus that accumulates in the lungs and reduces airflow) and chronic bronchitis are both related to dysfunctional airway mucus, which is common in people with COPD. Sometimes mucus plugging and chronic bronchitis co-occur, but it is quite common to have one or the other but not both conditions. Given the limited availability of disease-modifying treatments for COPD, understanding the underlying biology of mucus pathology is critical to identifying new therapeutic targets.  

In a new study, researchers at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine have found that mucus plugs in the lungs alter the pattern of gene activity in a way that is similar to chronic bronchitis, suggesting that there may be similar underlying causes to both conditions. It is believed these researchers are the first group to study gene activity differences associated with mucus plugging.