© 2024 University of Missouri - KBIA
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

On cancer

Andres Pérez
/
Flickr

On today’s show, we’ll have a look at cancer.

Pediatric leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. With treatment, about three-quarters of affected children are able to beat the disease. But for those with what’s known as “high risk” leukemia, the odds of survival are much worse. Washington University pediatric oncologist Dr. Todd Druley has been trying to use genetics to understand why some leukemia is so hard to treat. He spoke with St. Louis Public Radio's Véronique LaCapra.

Also, radioactive gold nanoparticles have been shown to be effective in reducing tumors. But how do you keep these tiny particles from harming otherwise healthy cells? An MU researcher may have a solution. Katish Katti is a professor of radiology and physics here at MU. He recently published a paper about a compound in tea that not only helps these nanoparticles form and keeps them stable, but also helps them specifically target cancer cells. We spoke to Katti about the discovery, and he began by talking about how that targeting works.

 

Rehman Tungekar is a former producer for KBIA, who left at the beginning of 2014.
Related Content