Leukemia-MDS and AML

MOON SHOTS PROGRAM

MDS & AML Moon Shot

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MDS & AML Moon Shot
- MDS & AML Research

How we're ending MDS and AML

Our intentions are noble – put patients at the forefront of our myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) investigations to make their cure today’s reality. Our process is groundbreaking – use in-house, industry-quality platforms to ensure that our breakthrough discoveries aren’t left sitting in academic research labs.

By combining Innovation, Collaboration and Scale, the MDS and AML Moon Shot™ is revolutionizing the conventional medical research approach to rapidly adapt pre-clinical findings into MDS and AML treatment options.

Moon Shot Update

At MD Anderson's 2016 Cancer Survivorship Conference, Guillermo Garcia-Manero, M.D., updated attendees on the clinical and research infrastructure, recent progress and future directions of the MDS and AML Moon Shot.

MDS and AML Moon Shot Update

ABOUT LEUKEMIA - MDS AND AML

A continuous disease spectrum

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) exist along a continuous disease spectrum starting with early-stage MDS, which may progress to advanced MDS, AML, cured AML or resistant AML. The disease is characterized by an overproduction of immature blood cells. The resulting lack of mature, healthy blood cells causes anemia and an increased risk for infection and bleeding. Around 5-10% of patients with solid tumors who are treated with chemotherapy, radiation or autologous stem cell transplantation develop treatment-related MDS or AML. The majority of patients with MDS and AML are not cured with available therapies, underscoring the urgent need for new therapeutic alternatives that will improve the clinical outcomes of these patients.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MDS AND AML >

Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Acute Myeloid Leukemia Moon Shot Leaders

Guillermo Garcia-Manero, M.D.

Professor, Department of Leukemia
Hagop Kantarjian, M.D.

Chair, Department of Leukemia

Innovation

To combat resistance to hypomethylating agents, we’re developing more effective forms of these drugs. One of our candidates, SGI-110, is currently being evaluated through clinical trials for its ability to better treat MDS and AML.

Collaboration

We’re partnering with the adoptive cellular therapy and Oncology Research for Biologics and Immunotherapy Translation (ORBIT) platforms to develop safe and effective cellular therapies that can be used to treat MDS and AML and improve the clinical outcomes of stem cell transplantation (SCT).

Scale

Our Moon Shot team is characterizing the molecular features of more than 3,500 samples gathered repeatedly over time from MDS and AML patients. This information will provide our researchers with a comprehensive understanding of these diseases.

Help end MDS and AML

AML research expert, Hagop Kantarjian, M.D.

Your gift can help propel new clinical trials aimed at improving outcomes for MDS and AML patients who face drug resistance and disease relapse.

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Our Flagship Projects

The MDS and AML Moon Shot is aimed at improving clinical outcomes for patients with these diseases by focusing on the following fronts:

Resistance to hypomethylating agents
Improving outcomes through cellular therapies
Overcoming disease relapse

Learn more about each of the three projects below.

Overcoming Resistance to Hypomethylating Drugs

Treatment with hypomethylating agents (HMAs) is the current standard of care for MDS and elderly patients with AML. While these drugs are effective, patients inevitably develop resistance. Our Moon Shot team aims to uncover the molecular features and pathways of MDS and AML cells that lead to resistance to hypomethylating agents (HMAs). The key biological pathways that are identified will then be targeted therapeutically through rational clinical trial strategies. We’re also addressing ways to detect and prevent therapy-related MDS, which exhibits extreme resistance to HMAs.

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Developing Cellular Therapies for AML

Stem cell transplants (SCT) can elicit long-term disease free survival, but this treatment presents risks for the largest subpopulation of AML patients, the elderly. We’re developing cellular therapies that can reduce the risk associated with SCT and, in some cases, even enhance treatment outcomes. We’re also developing cellular therapies, which improve the canker-killing activity of powerful immune cells called NK cells and T cells, rather than using drugs to treat the cancer directly.

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Novel Therapeutic Targets to Prevent AML Relapse

MD Anderson is a world leader in developing standard-of-care therapies for MDS and AML, but the majority of patients are not cured by the therapies available today. While many patients enter remission after primary treatment, relapse is common. To overcome this, our Moon Shot team is identifying the characteristics of AML cells that contribute to the initiation of disease relapse. We’re collecting AML samples throughout disease progression and using state-of-the-art technology to uncover new molecular targets and design new therapeutic strategies that will prevent disease relapse.

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MOON SHOT Q&A

Improving the treatment of MDS

MDS/AML is an aggressive disease with few treatment options. Simona Colla, Ph.D., is leading research efforts of the Moon Shot to better understand and overcome the resistance of MDS to current treatments.

Learn about the team's current progress >

STORIES OF HOPE

AML survivor remains 'a fighter, not a quitter'

Claudia Pichardo was diagnosed with AML when she was only four-years-old. She made it through several years of tough treatment and recommends some ingredients for fellow survivors.

Read Claudia's story >

PROGRESS UPDATE

Immunotherapy drug improves outcomes for AML patients

The immunotherapy drug nivolumab, in combination with standard chemotherapy, more than doubled response rates and improved overall survival in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), according to preliminary findings by researchers at MD Anderson.

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Progress Update

New biologic therapy for AML patients

MD Anderson researchers recently made an exciting new stride in the battle against acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In a bid to better fight AML while reducing the toxic side effects of chemotherapy, Jeffrey Molldrem, M.D., has discovered a potentially potent new monoclonal antibody that targets cancer cells. Astellas Pharma Inc. are optioning the rights to the agent in a deal that will provide $26 million for research funding. The antibody targets a peptide on cancer cells, and is a form of biologic therapy, an increasingly appealing alternative to chemotherapy.

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FACTS ABOUT MDS

Cells gone wild

Moon Shot co-leader Guillermo Garcia-Manero discusses the biology and challenges of myelodysplastic syndrome. Listen to his explanation of the diagnosis, treatment and new therapies for MDS.

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Your gift will help end myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

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