Tranylcypromine could be the key to treating common AMLs

An antidepressant called tranylcypromine (TCP) could be the key to treating more common types of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), according to recent laboratory news.

A team from the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) have been working to find why all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is not effective in fighting the more common types of AMLs. The vitamin A-derivative is known to successfully treat rare sub-type of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but has enjoyed less success elsewhere.

Team leader Arthur Zelent, Ph.D., and colleagues at the ICR have been working to unlock the potential of retinoids to treat other patients with AML in a paper published in Nature Medicine, showing that the key could be an antidepressant called tranylcypromine (TCP).

Dr. Zelent said: "Retinoids have already transformed one rare type of fatal leukemia into a curable disease. We've now found a way to harness these powerful drugs to treat far more common types of leukemia."

"Until now, it's been a mystery why the other forms of AML don't respond to this drug. Our study revealed that there was a molecular block that could be reversed with a second drug that is already commonly used as an antidepressant. We think this is a very promising strategy, and if these findings can be replicated in patients the potential benefits are enormous."

Posted by Ben Evans