
Hematologist Eytan Stein
Historically, cancer treatment has aimed to eliminate cancer cells, whether through traditional methods such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation or newer treatments such as targeted therapies and immunotherapies.
But a new approach is gaining attention that turns the seek-and-destroy tactic into more of a search-and-rescue one, by transforming cancer cells into normal cells instead of killing them. So far, it’s showing early promise in treating certain kinds of leukemia and other blood cancers.
“Leukemia occurs when immature cells are able to accumulate in the blood,” says Memorial Sloan Kettering hematologist Eytan Stein. “These cells, which form in the bone marrow, contain mutations that prevent them from differentiating into specialized blood cell types. If we can find drugs to block the enzymes that prevent the cells from maturing, we may have a way to cure the leukemia.”
Dr. Stein is leading a study evaluating one of the first drugs to take advantage of this approach. He presented early findings last weekend at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting in San Francisco. The study was also featured in The Wall Street Journal earlier this week.
Blocking Mutant Enzymes
The drug, called AG-221, works by blocking enzymes made from a mutant form of the gene IDH2. The normal IDH2 protein is found in every cell of the body and plays a role in the biochemical process by which the cell makes energy.
“Certain IDH2 mutations induce cells to take on a life of their own,” Dr. Stein explains. “They cause them to produce enzymes called oncometabolites, which prevent normal blood stem cells in the bone marrow from differentiating into immune cells called neutrophils.”
The current study included patients with a variety of blood cancers caused by IDH2 mutations, primarily acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. Of the 45 patients who were on the drug long enough to be evaluated, 25 had a response, and five responded well enough to be able to undergo a bone marrow transplant, the current standard of care.
Analysis showed the level of oncometabolites was greatly reduced in patients taking AG-221, an indication that the drug was reaching its intended target.
Back to topTransforming Treatment
“With the exception of only one other drug called ATRA for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia, this is not the usual way to treat cancer,” Dr. Stein notes. “This approach is truly transformative — both because it changes the way we look at cancer and because it literally transforms cancer cells.”
AG-221 is taken as a pill at home, “and we know it improves patients’ quality of life if they don’t have to go into the clinic and receive chemotherapy,” Dr. Stein says. “In addition, these cancers often occur in older people who frequently can’t get traditional chemotherapy because of other health problems.”
The investigators stress that this drug is still in the very early stages of testing, but they have already expanded the phase I trial to include more patients based on the promising results so far.
In addition to Dr. Stein’s study, MSK had two other studies featured in the press program at the ASH meeting, the most from any single institution. Both were related to the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma. One study found that giving patients a targeted antibody drug as maintenance therapy after bone marrow or stem cell transplant improved survival; the other found that an immunotherapy drug improved outcomes in patients who had failed to respond to standard treatment.
Back to topComments
Fuad Karimov
Dec 12, 2014 • 9:03 AM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Dec 12, 2014 • 10:32 AM
In reply to What is your prospects on by Fuad Karimov
Fuad, to learn more about our approach to treating liver cancer, you can go to http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/adult/liver/approach. Thank you for your comment.
Mrs B
Dec 30, 2014 • 2:18 PM
Mary Lou Crawford
Dec 30, 2014 • 7:59 PM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Dec 30, 2014 • 11:31 PM
In reply to I was diagnosed w/non by Mary Lou Crawford
Dear Mary Lou, unfortunately we are unable to offer personal medical advice on our blog. If you would like to make an appointment with one of our specialists to discuss whether this is a treatment option for you, please call our Physician Referral Service at 800-525-2225. Thanks for reaching out to us.
David H
Dec 30, 2014 • 9:04 PM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Dec 30, 2014 • 11:16 PM
In reply to We appreciate MSK's continued by David H
Dear David, our experts are working on various novel therapies for people with lymphoma. Here is a list of the clinical trials we are currently offering for people with this type of cancer: http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/adult/lymphomas/clinical-trials
If you would like more information, please call our Physician Referral Service at 800-525-2225. Thank you for your inquiry.
William Gold
May 14, 2015 • 10:21 AM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
May 14, 2015 • 12:31 PM
In reply to Please include criteria to be by William Gold
Robin Panei
Oct 4, 2017 • 1:57 PM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Oct 5, 2017 • 3:47 PM
In reply to My daughter died of Gvhd she… by Robin panei
Dear Robin, we are so very sorry to hear about your loss. MSK is conducting a lot of research on GVHD, to find ways to make transplants safer for patients. You can learn more about these studies here: https://www.mskcc.org/blog/immune-system-molecule-could-become-new-trea…
and here: https://www.mskcc.org/blog/study-suggests-ways-make-bone-marrow-transpl…
and here: https://www.mskcc.org/blog/microorganisms-gut-can-affect-cancer-outcomes
Thank you for your comment, and best wishes to you.
Amy
Jul 20, 2018 • 11:06 PM
Dear Amy, this drug was approved by the FDA last summer. It is now called enasidenib (Idhifa). You can learn more about it here: https://www.mskcc.org/blog/fda-approves-enasidenib-idhifa-first-its-kin…
Thank you for your comment, and best wishes to you.
Amy
Aug 7, 2018 • 1:49 PM
Dear Amy, enasidenib is being studied in combination with other agents, including chemotherapy (intensive induction and consolidation) and drugs called hypomethylating agents. It’s also being tested with other targeted agents such as drugs called FL:T3 inhibitors. These studies are currently ongoing. Thank you for your comment.
What is your prospects on Liver cancer tumor treatment for the future?