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FLT3 inhibition in acute myeloid leukaemia
Author(s) -
Knapper Steven
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2007.06700.x
Subject(s) - medicine , tyrosine kinase , fms like tyrosine kinase 3 , clinical trial , cancer research , tyrosine kinase inhibitor , myeloid , receptor tyrosine kinase , oncology , pharmacology , immunology , mutation , receptor , biology , cancer , biochemistry , gene
Summary FMS‐like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that appears to play a significant role in leukaemogenesis. Activating mutations of FLT3 are present in approximately one‐third of acute myeloid leukaemia patients and are associated with adverse clinical outcome, while many non‐mutated cases also show evidence of FLT3 activation. FLT3 thus represents a potentially exciting molecular therapeutic target. A number of small‐molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors with anti‐FLT3 activity have been developed and several of these compounds have entered early phase clinical trials where clinical anti‐leukaemic activity has been demonstrated. The depth and duration of clinical responses to FLT3 inhibitor monotherapy have been modest, however, and a number of mechanisms by which blasts may acquire resistance have been proposed. Based on preclinical evidence of synergy with conventional chemotherapy, several combination trials are now underway. FLT3 inhibition may also be effective used in combination with other molecularly targeted agents, in postchemotherapy stem‐cell‐directed maintenance therapy and in MLL ‐rearranged infant acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.