New Leukemia Treatment Shows Promise in Preclinical Studies
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland have developed a novel treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This aggressive form of cancer affects blood and bone marrow, hindering the production of red and white blood cells. The new method, detailed in a study published in Molecular Cancer, involves a molecule named AcTor. AcTor inhibits a signaling protein that influences the mTor protein, which acts as a control center for cell growth and activity. The treatment forces cancer cells to maintain high activity levels while simultaneously shutting down their energy production in the mitochondria, leading to their demise from stress. This approach is unique because it does not harm healthy blood cells and appears to prevent drug resistance, a common issue in cancer treatments. The study demonstrated a strong effect on leukemia in AML cell lines, primary patient samples, and animal trials, particularly when combined with the inhibitor Ixazomib (IXZ). Notably,...
