Researchers from The Institute of Cancer Research and the University of Oxford have discovered a new therapy for acute myeloid leukaemia by targeting enzymes involved in the body’s oxygen sensors, paving the way for more effective treatments.
A recent study conducted by The Institute of Cancer Research in London and the University of Oxford has potentially identified a new treatment approach for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a challenging blood cancer diagnosed in approximately 3,100 people annually in the UK. The research focuses on blocking enzymes involved in sensing changes in the body’s oxygen levels, termed PHDs, which may stop the progression of AML.
The findings, published in ‘Nature Cancer’, suggest that by inhibiting these enzymes, the disease can be halted without harming the production of normal blood cells. This approach has shown promise in both genetically modified mice and human AML patient samples. Moreover, the development of a new drug compound, IOX5, targeting these specific enzymes signifies a significant advancement, considering current AML therapies have limited effectiveness and are associated with severe side effects.
The study, funded by Cancer Research UK, the Medical Research Council, and Barts Charity, is now progressing towards clinical trials. These trials will further assess the efficacy and safety of this new therapy and explore its potential application to other types of cancer. Professors Kamil Kranc and Kristian Helin, leading figures in the research, emphasize the importance of new treatments for AML, given the current survival rate is only 35% for those surviving five years post-diagnosis.
This research not only offers hope for more effective AML treatments but also highlights the role of oxygen sensing in cancer progression and the potential for broader applications in oncology.
