Gene Mutation Play Critically Important Role in Myeloid Leukemia: Promising Development in New Treatments

New research has been discovered concerning the gene that mutates causing myeloid leukemia. Acute myeloid leukemia occurs when mutated DNA attacks our own blood cells. This causes our blood to not produce white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets, and start producing leukemia cells, which attack the healthy blood cells that are left. People that are diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia are given a five-year survival range. After many trials, scientists discovered the mutation lies in the gene FLT3, and that is where treatment should be targeted. The experiment used eight patients with acute myeloid leukemia. The scientists used a compound named AC220, a clinically active FLT3 inhibitor. As a result, mutations occurred at the time AC220 was administered. Scientists are now searching for compounds that can target ACC220 resistant forms of FLT3. This discovery will help develop potent FLT3 inhibitors for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. The reason previous drugs did not work was not because the gene was wrong, but rather how hard the target gene was being hit. Patients in the future can receive better therapies that involve multiple, more potent drugs that can suppress the FLT3 gene.