Cancer drug combo shows promise for patients resistant to standard treatments

More than 20,000 Americans are diagnosed with AML each year, making it one of the most common types of leukemia, data show. It is also one of the most aggressive.

The findings were confirmed in human tissue samples and in mouse models carrying human leukemia cells.

Tyner, who is part of the research team, noted that initial testing explored a broad range of drug combinations and did not begin with any specific "favorites."

Among all the pairings tested, including current standard-of-care regimens, the leukemia and breast cancer drug combination showed the most promising results.

The study found that AML cells exposed to only venetoclax were able to adapt by increasing protein production. Adding palbociclib, however, blocked this adaptation and impeded the cancer cells' ability to survive.

The drug, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2019, is often combined with azacitidine, a different cancer medication. Resistance to treatment, even with this duo, remained nearly universal.

"Unfortunately, almost everyone will eventually have drug resistance," Tyner said in the press release.

"This regimen has improved initial response rates and quality of life, but the five-year survival rate for AML is still only about 25% to 40%. We have a lot of work to do," he added.

While the data strongly suggest that this new drug should be tested in clinical trials, the team says it does not yet have data for clinical activity in AML patients, other than some reported anecdotal cases.

"So, the biggest limitation is also our desired next step - of testing this new drug combination in clinical trials," Tyner said.

Fox News Digital reached out to manufacturers of venetoclax requesting comment.