ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — A recent study links taurine, an amino acid made by the body and an ingredient found in several types of food, to the growth of blood and bone marrow cancers like leukemia.
The research team, headed by Jeevisha Bajaj at the University of Rochester’s Wilmot Cancer Institute, discovered that taurine is made by certain normal cells in the bone marrow, which is where myeloid cancers start and grow. Because leukemia cells cannot produce taurine on their own, they depend on other genes to obtain it and transport it to the cancer cells.
Researchers stopped leukemia growth in mice and human cells by using genetic methods to block taurine from entering cancer cells.
“We are very excited about these studies because they demonstrate that targeting uptake by myeloid leukemia cells may be a possible new avenue for treatment of these aggressive diseases,” Bajaj said in a May press release published by the University of Rochester Medical Center.
Researchers discovered that when leukemia cells absorb taurine, it enhances the breakdown of glucose for energy, which supports cancer growth. Earlier studies did not indicate that taurine could be involved in cancer.
Where is taurine commonly found?
Researchers noted that taurine is an amino acid naturally present in bone marrow, the brain, the heart and muscles.
It is also found in foods like meat, fish, eggs, energy drinks and protein powders.
What’s next for the research of taurine?
Before this study, one research article attributed by the University of Rochester suggested that taurine supplements might help some gastric cancer patients by enhancing their immune system.
A Wilmot oncologist states that researchers still need to understand how leukemia cells are reprogrammed to gain energy and resist treatment.
“Since taurine is a common ingredient in energy drinks and is often provided as a supplement to mitigate the side effects of chemotherapy, our work suggests that it may be of interest to carefully consider the benefits of supplemental taurine in leukemia patients,” the Wilmot team said.
Bajaj noted that future studies should investigate levels of taurine in people with leukemia.
“Our current data suggest that it would be helpful to develop stable and effective ways to block taurine from entering leukemia cells,” she said.
