Australian Scientists Pioneer Precision Therapy for Rare Blood Cancer
Story: written by Joseph January 12,2026
Researchers in Australia have unveiled a promising targeted treatment strategy for myelofibrosis, a rare and serious blood cancer affecting the bone marrow. Unlike current therapies that mainly manage symptoms, this approach aims to attack the abnormal blood cells driving the disease using immunotherapy, offering hope for more effective care.
Published in the journal Blood, the study was led by Daniel Thomas, director of SAHMRI’s Blood Cancer Program, and Angel Lopez, head of Human Immunology at SA Pathology. Their research highlights a world-first discovery: Type 1 and Type 2 calreticulin mutations respond differently to treatments, providing opportunities for more precise interventions.
The team identified two distinct therapeutic targets capable of selectively eliminating the disease-causing cells.
“Current therapies mainly control symptoms, but they don’t target the abnormal cells responsible for myelofibrosis,” said Thomas. “By focusing on what makes these cells unique, we can develop treatments that are more potent and highly targeted.”
Lopez emphasized the role of precision immunology, which uses patient-donated cells to train the immune system to recognize harmful cells while leaving healthy tissue unharmed.
“The future of cancer care lies in understanding diseases at a molecular and immune level and converting that knowledge into therapies that are precise, long-lasting, and effective,” Lopez added.
While the findings are promising, further research and clinical trials are required before the therapy can be tested in humans, potentially opening the door to safer, more effective treatments for patients with myelofibrosi
