Monday, November 9, 2015

Metabolic Rewiring in Hairy Cell Leukemia

Here's a link to an interesting article on "BRAF-V600E Metabolic Rewiring and Reprogramming."

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1097276515004384

BRAF-V600E is the mutation present in nearly 100% of the classic form of hairy cell leukemia (and is also common in 50% of melanoma cases).

The metabolic cycle shown in the diagram may imply that a diet which promotes ketogenesis (such as a high protein, low-carb diet), may promote BRAF-V600E/MEK1 binding and tumor cell proliferation.

I'd be interested in understanding how levels of HMGCL compare between patients and whether there is a correlation to treatment success.

Interestingly enough, an HMGCL antibody has been produced in rabbits:
http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/product/sigma/hpa004727?lang=en&region=US

I wonder if such an antibody could be used to safely regulate HMGCL levels during treatment and reduce cell proliferation. 

A common mistake a lot of people initially diagnosed with HCL (including myself) make is to assume that HCL is like solid tumors and feeds on sugar.  They then follow a low carb diet, which in turn causes the body to invoke ketogenesis to metabolize fat and protein.  In so doing, they promote cell proliferation instead of starving the HCL. 

This is the mistake I made when being treated.  I wonder if it is one of the reasons why I did not respond as quickly as others to treatment during chemotherapy and my first round of Rituxan.  I stopped the diet before my second treatment of Rituxan and ultimately got a complete remission.

Just remember, "liquid cancers" aren't like solid tumors.  Follow a balanced diet, and let the medicine do its job.