AML cancer cell escape mechanism identified

The mechanism acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells use to evade chemotherapy has been identified by researchers at the University of Colorado Cancer Centre, who have also detailed how to plug the 'escape route'.

New techniques of functional genomic screening of AML cells were used in the study, which was able to define a molecular breaking process that AML curves use to survive 'the curves of chemotherapy'. Using a metaphor of a car that is approaching a corner, Christopher Porter, MD, demonstrated that the cells that can put on the breaks survive the corner, whereas cells that can't will speed off the track.

When the molecular breaking process is removed, the AML cells (but not their healthy neighbours) die on the corners, which makes the chemotherapy process more efficient.

Mr Porter commented that they were able to identify WEE1 in the tests, which acts as the breaks for cancer cells. He commented that: "With chemotherapy we introduce DNA damage in cancer cells – we push them toward the curve hopefully at a greater rate than healthy cells. If WEE1 is there, cancer cells can round the curve. Without it, they flip."

Posted by Fiona Griffiths