Researchers prove FLT3 ‘is a valid therapeutic target in Acute Myeloid Leukemia’

Researchers have used groundbreaking new gene sequencing technology to prove that FLT3 is a valid therapeutic target in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.

Pacific Biosciences developed the new technique, which allows for the rapid and comprehensive detection of gene mutations in patients with AML, which is the most common type of leukaemia.  The findings have been published in Nature, and comprised of research efforts from the University of California, San Francisco, Pacific Biosciences and Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

The discovery could lead to the development of new drugs to treat AML. Andrew Kasarskis, PhD, who performed the research with colleagues at Pacific Biosciences explained: "By sequencing the FLT3 gene in AML patients who have relapsed on therapy targeted against FLT3, we have determined that FLT3 is a valid therapeutic target, and this will certainly help us better understand the physiology of this type of leukaemia in order to help us develop new therapies in the future."

Mr Kasarskis added that the findings had great potential for drug development in the future, owing to the fact that researchers can now test drugs or a combination of drugs in patients with AML who have relapsed. It also means that they can identify when drug resistant mutations occur, allowing clinicians to prescribe another drug more quickly.

Posted by Ben Evans