Gene Mutation Ups Leukemia Drug’s Effect

U.S. scientists have discovered genetic mutations that make cells cancerous can sometimes make them more sensitive to chemotherapy.

Specifically, an Ohio State University study shows a mutation in some cases of acute leukemia makes the disease more susceptible to high doses of a particular anticancer drug.

The researchers, led by Dr. Clara Bloomfield, said their finding could change the manner by which physicians manage such patients.

The retrospective study shows people with acute myeloid leukemia, or AML, whose leukemic cells have mutations in the RAS gene are more likely to be cured when treated after remission with high doses of the drug cytarabine. It also suggests testing for RAS mutations might help identify which AML patients should receive the high-dose post-remission therapy.

This appears to be the first example in AML of a mutation in an oncogene that favorably modifies a patient’s response to the dose of a routinely used chemotherapeutic drug, Bloomfield said. If confirmed, AML patients in the future will likely be screened for RAS mutations, and those who have one may get high-dose cytarabine for post-remission therapy rather than a stem-cell transplant.

The research is published online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.