Newcastle University Research: Breast Cancer Drug Shows Promise for Leukemia Treatment

Overview of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Researchers at Newcastle University in England have made a significant discovery regarding the treatment of leukemia. Each year, about 2,500 individuals in the United Kingdom succumb to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), with approximately 3,100 new cases diagnosed annually. AML is a type of cancer that affects the bone marrow and blood, encompassing a range of leukemias that arise from myeloid cells within the bone marrow, including red blood cells, platelets, and all white blood cells except lymphocytes.

Palbociclib: A Promising Treatment Option

The study revealed that palbociclib, a drug currently used for breast cancer, could be effective in treating leukemia. This drug has the advantage of having side effects that are considerably less toxic compared to traditional chemotherapy agents. The research, conducted on laboratory cell lines and mouse models, was published in the journal Cancer Cell. Findings indicated that palbociclib significantly reduced the leukemic load, delayed the progression of AML, and extended median survival from 29 days to 59 days. This breakthrough could potentially enhance survival rates for AML patients in the future.

Mechanism of Action

Palbociclib functions by inhibiting cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and CDK6, two essential proteins that facilitate DNA replication and cancer cell proliferation. The study also identified Cyclin D2 (CCDN2) as a key factor in leukemic progression. It was found that approximately 10-15% of AML cases possess CCDN2 mutations, and notably, leukemic cells with this mutation remain responsive to CDK4/6 inhibitors like palbociclib.

Future Research Directions

Further research is necessary to explore additional drugs that can be combined with CDK4/6 inhibitors to enhance treatment efficacy. The goal is to develop synergistic therapies that improve outcomes without leading to resistance or long-term side effects.

About the Author

Written by Jade Marie Evans, MPharm, Medical Writer.

References

Martinez-soria, N et al. 2018. The Oncogenic Transcription Factor RUNX1/ETO Corrupts Cell Cycle Regulation to Drive Leukemic Transformation. [Online]. [22 October 2018]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30300583
EurekAlert. 2018. Breast cancer drug could be used to treat life-threatening leukaemia. [Online]. [22 October 2018]. Available from: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/nu-bcd100818.php
Leukemia Foundation. 2018. Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). [Online]. [22 October 2018]. Available from: https://www.leukaemia.org.au/disease-information/leukaemias/acute-myeloid-leukaemia/