New Research Links Taurine to Leukemia Growth

A recent study in the journal Nature has highlighted taurine, an amino acid found naturally, as a significant factor in the progression of particular leukemia types, as detailed by researchers at the University of Rochester’s Wilmot Cancer Institute.

This research could pave the way for new therapies targeting myeloid cancers such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

These aggressive blood cancers originate from the bone marrow. The study indicates that cancer cells rely on taurine from their environment for growth and survival.

Led by Jeevisha Bajaj, Ph.D., the Wilmot team found that leukemia cells do not produce taurine by themselves.

Instead, they utilize a transporter mechanism to absorb taurine from the surrounding bone marrow microenvironment.

By employing genetic tools to hinder this uptake in both mouse models and human cell samples, the researchers successfully halted leukemia growth.

“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 noted, adding that she is an assistant professor in Biomedical Genetics and part of Wilmot’s Cancer Microenvironment research program.

The findings contribute to growing evidence that cancer metabolism—how cancer cells derive their energy—is as crucial as genetic mutations in driving the disease.

Once inside leukemia cells, taurine supports glycolysis, a process that breaks down glucose, further advancing cancer progression.

“This study is one of the first to show that taurine may actually help drive cancer growth,” Bajaj remarked. “Leukemia cells hijack taurine to fuel their survival.”

Jane Liesveld, M.D., a Wilmot oncologist and co-author of the study, advised caution regarding taurine supplements.

Taurine is also present in the brain, heart, and muscles and is commonly found in energy drinks, protein powders, and foods like meat, fish, and eggs.

Some cancer patients may use it to alleviate chemotherapy side effects.

“Dr. Bajaj’s work shows that local levels of taurine in bone marrow may enhance leukemia growth, suggesting caution in the use of high-dose taurine supplementation,” Liesveld cautioned.

The researchers emphasized the need for further investigation into taurine’s role in cancer development and treatment resistance.

Bajaj mentioned that the next steps include examining taurine levels in leukemia patients and developing strategies to safely block taurine from entering cancer cells.

“Since taurine is frequently found in energy drinks and often used as a supplement to reduce chemotherapy side effects, our findings suggest carefully considering the benefits of supplemental taurine for leukemia patients,” the team concluded.