AML causes around 850 deaths in Australia each year, more than any other type of blood cancer. Many people with AML respond poorly to treatment, with fewer than one-third surviving for five years after their diagnosis.
However, the findings made by WEHI's Dr Najoua Lalaoui, Professor John Silke and their colleagues may lead to a new treatment for patients who have few other treatment options.
The researchers found in preclinical trials that the combined use of the two anti-cancer drugs birinapant and p38 inhibitors had a much stronger anti-cancer effect than when either agent was used alone.
As both drugs have been safely used in clinical trials, the researchers believe that the combined use will potentially provide a more effective and less toxic alternative to the currently used high-dose chemotherapy.
Importantly, the researchers found that a combination of birinapant and a p38 inhibitor can also kill AML cancer cells that are resistant to current chemotherapy.
The research was published in the journal Cancer Cell.