University of Auckland scientists are excited by the prospect of a possible new way to treat aggressive blood cancer after successful trials with mice.
Acute myeloid leukaemia affects the blood and bone marrow, which is where blood cells are made and is known as "liquid cancer". It makes the body produce an excessive number of abnormal white blood cells, which interferes with the production of healthy blood cells and poses a high risk of death if not treated correctly and efficiently.
University of Auckland researchers have discovered a specific inhibitor can get rid of leukaemia stem cells in a mouse model of leukaemia, while still protecting the healthy stem cells, meaning there might be a more effective way to treat acute myeloid leukaemia with fewer side effects.
University of Auckland professor Stefan Bohlander told Breakfast scientists "should be excited" about the prospect of this treatment, but cautioned it would take some time to go from trials in mice to applying the treatment to human patients.
"We've been treating and still treating this blood cancer like we did in the '70s, basically with the sledgehammer we kill all the cells, [even] the healthy ones. But it's known that all the cancer cells are not the same," he said.
University of Auckland scientist professor Stefan Bohlander told Breakfast this treatment is "a way forward" in attacking acute myeloid leukemia stem cells. (Source: Breakfast)
He said the new model works by taking a "more targeted" approach to stem cells and is supposed to only kill the bad cancer stem cells that propagate and maintain the disease.
"Whereas the previous treatments and what we are still using doesn't really distinguish between normal cells, that's why you get all the side effects of chemotherapy or hair loss. You feel bad and it affects everything."
Bohlander said bone marrow transplant already exists, but because it wipes out all of the good and bad cells, it requires blood cells to be given back by a family member or external donor.
"Getting at the root of this disease and attacking the leukaemia stem cells is, in my view, a way forward," he said.
Acute myeloid leukaemia is the most common type of acute leukaemia in adults in New Zealand, affecting around 150 people per year.
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