New means of treating drug-resistant leukaemia discovered

A new UK study has uncovered a potentially groundbreaking new means of treating chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) cases in which acquired resistance is impeding therapy efforts.

Cancer Research UK-funded scientists at the Institute of Cancer Research have found that a developmental class of drug called MEK inhibitors can be used to destroy CML cells that have stopped responding to Glivec, the current standard of care.

Normally, drugs such as Tasigna and Glivec are able to create a locking effect on a vital protein called BCR-ABL, thus preventing the cancer cells from generating an essential molecular survival signal.

Often CML cells are able to get around this by changing shape, but MEK inhibitors can attack a separate protein called MEK instead, meaning the combination can be vital in getting around drug resistance.

Dr Julie Sharp, Cancer Research UK's senior science information manager, said: "This important discovery increases our understanding of how leukaemia cells respond to drugs and reveals a potential approach to treat the disease after it has become resistant to current treatments."

CML is a relatively rare form of cancer, according to NHS figures, with an estimated 600 new cases in England and Wales each year.