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Stem cell discovery offers ray of hope for leukemia
Cancer stem cells bring hope
An international collaboration between Australian and Canadian researchers has identified a new target for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). John Dick (previous winner of the Premier’s Summit Awards) and his team at the University Health Network (Toronto) are co-authors of this report.
Based on the pioneering research of John Dick’s team, there is a growing acceptance that leukemia is driven by cancer stem cells (CSCs) – a rare cell type more resistant to standard chemotherapy. Any curative treatment for leukemia would need to eliminate CSCs.
The new target – CD123 – is a molecule found at high levels on the surface of leukemic CSCs. By using an antibody directed against CD123 the researchers were able to substantially improve survival in a mouse model of AML. It is yet to be determined how the antibody achieved this effect, but effects on leukemic cell migration and the immune system seem to be involved.
CSL Limited is conducting Phase I clinical trials for advanced AML with the antibody in Australia and has not observed any toxic effects so far. Standard treatment for AML involves chemotherapy and radiotherapy, so the addition of a targeted, non-toxic agent to the roster of treatment options would be very welcome, especially if the response rate matches that seen in animal models.
It is wonderful to see how basic research from Toronto (and supported by the Premier’s Summit Awards, administered by MaRS) has been translated into clinical use so quickly.
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John McCulloch @ MaRS
John provides assistance to life sciences entrepreneurs in business strategy, management, intellectual property, financing and licensing.
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