A study led by the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre has discovered a new method of killing leukaemia cells in the lab after identifying two new proteins critical for aggressive cancer development.
The findings, while in early in-vitro stages, could lead to enhanced treatment options moving forward, with plans already coalescing to develop a clinical trial based on the findings.
Notoriously difficult cancer to treat
Some 5,200 people are diagnosed with one of the forms of leukaemia in Australia each year.
Acute cases account for about 1,500 of these diagnoses, meaning the cancer appears suddenly and grows quickly.
The cancer is also particularly difficult to treat, with about 50% of patients relapsing (cancer reoccurs) after the first round of chemotherapy, subsequently becoming resistant to further treatments.
“About 135,000 people live with a blood cancer or blood disorder in Australia, with 16 people dying every day from the disease,” Assoc Prof Ng, a WEHI researcher and clinical haematologist at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, said.
“Despite the medical advancements made in the cancer field over the years, the incidence of blood cancer has grown by 47% in the past decade.
“The best way to enhance treatment options for patients is to continually improve our understanding of how leukaemia cancers behave and what drives their growth.
“Our new research has identified two proteins that are critical for the development of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, expanding our knowledge into how these cancers can form.
“By uncovering this new vulnerability in leukaemia formation, we hope to exploit the findings for therapeutic benefit and also apply them to other forms of the disease.”