MOON SHOTS PROGRAM
We could make substantial treatment breakthroughs in the next three to five years for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
MDS and AML are among the most tragic Leukemias in terms of prognosis. There’s no cure for MDS, and AML has a cure rate of less than 30%. But MD Anderson physicians and scientists give patients hope.
Guillermo Garcia-Manero, M.D.
Professor, Department of Leukemia
Hagop Kantarjian, M.D.
Chair, Department of Leukemia
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 Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (MDS-AML) Moon Shot™.
To understand why front-line treatment with hypomethylating agents fail in many patients with MDS and AML, this Moon Shot™ team has developed cell lines resistant to these agents and conducted investigative studies. Genomic and proteomic analyses of these cell lines have resulted in significant new knowledge about therapy resistance. Our leukemia experts are partnering with drug companies and have started clinical trials for patients with resistant disease, including the first immune checkpoint blockade trial in leukemia, a type of cancer immunotherapy.
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 The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Moon Shot co-leader Dr. Guillermo Garcia-Manero discusses the biology and challenges of of myelodysplastic syndrome. Listen to his explanation of the diagnosis, treatment and new therapies for MDS.
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.
MD Anderson and Amgen recently announced an agreement to develop BiTE® therapies for myelodysplastic syndrome.
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.
We’re identifying targets for different risk levels of MDS — higher-risk disease has a greater chance of transforming into AML — and trying to figure out what drives some cases of MDS to become AML. We are genetically engineering mouse models essential for testing new drugs and discovering which current FDA-approved drugs can best help our patients.
