New cure for leukemia

HLA-DRB1 typing reagent is cheaper than imported reagent of its kind and is easier and quicker in use, said Wang Shengqi, head of the key laboratory of biological genetic chips under the academy, who has led the team of this research for five years.

The new typing reagent can be used to test all the 13 discovered genetic types of HLA-DRB1, covering all the 18 known serological types, according to Wang.

Transplantation of hematopoietic stem cell is the most effective treatment of leukemia. Bone marrow donors have to go through HLA genetic typing to find a matchable leukemia patient, he said.

The reagent is also applicable in organ transplantation, forensic medicine and HLA-related studies