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A cascade of molecular events in the bone marrow, similar to a line of falling dominos, produces high levels of inflammation that disrupt normal blood formation leading to potentially deadly disorders including leukemia, according to a new study.

According to researchers, the findings points the way to potential new strategies to treat the blood disorders. 

"It has been known for years that there are links between inflammation and cancer, but these studies have been challenged by the lack of genetic models, especially for blood-based malignancies," said lead investigator Nadia Carlesso, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine, in the press release.

The study sheds light on what happens when there are abnormally low levels of a molecule called Notch. The molecule plays an important role in the process of blood cell production. 

Researchers, with the help of a genetically modified mouse found that the loss of Notch function in the microenvironment causes a chain of molecular even resulting in excess production of inflammatory factors. 

"This work indicates that we need to target not only the tumor cells, but also the inflammatory microenvironment that surrounds them and may contribute to their generation," she said.

"We believe that this combined strategy will be more effective in preventing myeloproliferative disease progression and transformation in acute leukemias."

Researchers further noted that the Notch molecule mostly known as oncogene - one that can cause cancer. 

The study describing the discovery has been published in the journal Cell Stem Cell.