Scientists thought they knew how this 70-year-old leukemia drug worked

A leukemia drug that has been in use for 70 years continues to surprise scientists with new discoveries. Recent research revealed that removing a specific protein called NUDT5 was able to protect cells from the effects of this drug. Surprisingly, merely blocking this protein had only a minimal impact on cell protection. This unexpected result suggests that the NUDT5 protein has a hidden and previously unknown function within cells. Understanding this role could be crucial for explaining why different individuals respond differently to the same leukemia treatment. These new insights may lead to better tailored treatments for patients in the future.