Summary
The implementation of targeted therapies for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has been challenged by complex mutational patterns within and across patients as well as a dearth of pharmacologic agents for most mutational events. Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) researchers have identified treatment strategies for a broad scope of AML mutations.
Technology Overview
Approximately 21,000 people are diagnosed with AML with over 10,000 AML- related deaths annually in the United States. Cytogenetic and sequencing analyses have previously revealed at least 11 genetic classes of AML with over 20 patient subsets, many of which experience resistance to current drug therapies. Only a small number of therapies targeted to mutational events have been developed for AML patients, and the current standard of care has remained largely unchanged over the past 30-40 years. Researchers at OHSU have screened over 400 AML patient samples and identified common and rare mutations. Responsiveness of the patient samples to various cancer therapeutic compounds was evaluated in parallel with the identification of specific mutations. The identification of these correlations between mutations and therapeutic responsiveness could allow for improved precision medicine for the treatment of AML.
Publication
Tyner et al., “Function genomic landscape of acute myeloid leukemia.” Nature 561 (2018): 526-531. Link
Licensing Opportunity
This technology is available for licensing.