Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers in Boston said their discovery could result in development of targeted therapies that can disable such molecular "bodyguards" and boost a patient's ability to fight the blood cancer.

Dr. Margaret Shipp, who led the research, said if the strategy proves successful, patients might escape some complications -- such as heart damage and the threat of a second cancer -- caused by standard treatments that include radiation.

The study is available online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and is to appear in an upcoming print issue of the journal.