An international team of scientists from China, the United Kingdom and France has discovered that the substance homocharyngtonin (HHT) induces remission of myeloid leukemia. This substance, also known as omacetaxin mepesuccinate, is found in the coniferous plant Cephalotaxus harringtonii and has been used by Chinese doctors to fight blood cancer. The researchers presented their findings in the journal Science Translational Medicine.
Preliminary trials of HHT have led to FDA approval for the drug for the treatment of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia. This disease is difficult to treat with drugs, and chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation are considered the most effective in combating it. However, it has been shown that omacetaxin mepesuccinate can help slow the growth of cancerous tumors.
The researchers analyzed the effect of various drugs on cultures of malignant cells isolated from patients with leukemia. Of all the compounds tested, HHT showed the highest anti-cancer efficacy. The drug even worked on a particularly aggressive form of leukemia caused by a mutation in the FLT3 gene. Scientists have found that omacetaxin suppresses the synthesis of a defective protein that is synthesized by a damaged gene.
Experts have also shown that if you combine HHT with the anticancer drug sorafenib, which inhibits the activity of FLT3, then tumor growth in mice is blocked. In a clinical study, the combination treatment resulted in complete remission in 20 of 24 patients.
The scientists believe their findings will help develop personalized treatments for patients with leukemia.