Mouse models of leukaemia and MDS: Establishing causation, collaborative events, and pre-clinical unity 
(Seminars)
28 February 2012
3.30pm
Venue: Room 501.505, Level 5, Building 501, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Grafton Campus
Contact email: r.mcdonald@auckland.ac.nz
Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology seminar by Dr Sheryl M Gough, Aplan Lab, Genetics Branch, NCI/NIH.
The NUP98-PHF23 (NP23) fusion gene was cloned from an AML patient. To determine its oncogenicity we generated a transgenic mouse expressing the fusion gene within the haematopoietic compartment. We characterised additional collaborative mutations and profiled gene expression patterns in the tumours, with a view to eventually using the derived cell lines and mouse model for pre-clinical drug screening. Preliminary drug trials on the more established NUP98-HOXD13 (NDH13) mouse model of MDS, have shown the mice to respond to the DNA demethylating agent Decitabine, recently approved for clinical use by the FDA. Preliminary results demonstrate the model to be a good assay system on which to trial new MDS therapies.
