Researchers at Frankfurt University Medicine have discovered a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia that may be treatable with a new strategy.
Together with colleagues from the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry in Martinsried, the researchers examined the proteins produced by the blood cancer cells.
To do this, they used the method of mass spectrometry, which makes it possible to distinguish between proteins based on their weight.
Sasha Zoske
Sheet maker in the Rhein-Main-Zeitung.
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The scientists noticed a certain group of leukemia cells because they produced a particularly large number of mitochondrial proteins.
The metabolism in the mitochondria, the cellular power plants, was also altered in this type of leukemia.
The cells did not react to the usual chemotherapy.
In laboratory experiments, the researchers found that drugs that interfere with mitochondrial respiration are highly effective against such cancer cells.
One of these inhibitors is the so-called BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax, which is already approved for cancer treatment.
The researchers hope that based on their findings, new therapies for acute myeloid leukemia can be developed.
To date, this disease has a poor prognosis.
Clinical studies should show whether the laboratory findings can be transferred to patients.
Here is the study