Drug Development for Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Given the complexity of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and the limitations of conventional therapies in terms of cytotoxicity and cure rates, there is a pressing need to develop innovative treatments that target various mechanisms of leukemia. Alfa Cytology has been actively involved in leukemia drug development for several years, accumulating significant expertise in drug discovery and employing proven technologies. We provide drug development services specifically tailored to support your research into novel therapeutic approaches for AML. We aim to collaborate with you in advancing the development of drugs used in the treatment of AML, bringing us closer to more effective and targeted therapeutic options.
Introduction of Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia
AML is a hematological malignancy characterized by impaired proliferation and differentiation of myeloid progenitor cells. The conventional treatment approach for AML involves the use of cytarabine-containing and anthracycline-containing drugs, followed by consolidation therapy through allogeneic stem cell transplantation. However, the therapeutic landscape of AML has been significantly altered by the emergence of targeted therapies, including demethylating agents (HMAS), inhibitors, CAR-T cell therapy, and others. These advancements have brought about notable changes in the management of AML.
Fig. 1. Advances in acute myeloid leukemia therapies. (Stanchina, M. et al., 2020)
Our Services
Development of Chemotherapy for AML
- Development of Chemotherapeutic Agents for AML
We offer development services for chemotherapeutic agents utilized in the treatment of AML and actively engage in the discovery of novel chemotherapeutic agents. Our primary objective is to develop new chemotherapeutic agents for clients that effectively minimize the side effects associated with their therapeutic use. By focusing on the development of safer and more targeted chemotherapeutic agents, we aim to enhance the overall treatment outcomes for AML.
- Development of Chemotherapy Regimen for AML
Considering the two phases of treatment for AML, our drug development services cater to each treatment phase, aiming to identify the most suitable drug options for you. Whether you are developing a drug for use in the induction or consolidation phase, our solutions can facilitate the acceleration of the early drug development process.
Development of Small Molecule Targeted Drug for AML
| Drugs | Service Details |
| IDH Inhibitors | We provide comprehensive drug development services for IDH inhibitor development, covering various stages such as design, screening, optimization, and validation of IDH inhibitors. Our services are tailored to support your efforts in discovering effective IDH inhibitors. |
| FLT3 Inhibitors | We employ our high-throughput screening platform, along with molecular modeling and simulation tools, for the design and screening of FLT3 inhibitors. Through these advanced technologies, we can efficiently identify and evaluate potential FLT3 inhibitors, accelerating the drug discovery process. |
| BCL-2 Inhibitors | We offer a range of services that encompass the design and validation of BCL2 inhibitors, as well as assays to assess the binding of BCL2 inhibitors to BCL-2, their ability to inhibit BCL-2 function, and their potential to induce apoptosis. |
| NAE Inhibitors | Building upon the cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase as a target of NAE, we focus on the design and development of NAE inhibitors. By targeting NAE, we aim to disrupt crucial cellular pathways involved in AML progression, presenting potential therapeutic options. |
| CDK Inhibitors | Our objective is to design and develop CDK inhibitors that specifically target therapeutic targets such as CDK4, CDK6, and CDK9 in the context of AML. By focusing on these specific CDK targets, we seek to disrupt the dysregulated cell cycle pathways implicated in AML pathogenesis, potentially treating AML. |
| Hypomethylating Agents | Drawing upon the concept of covalent bond formation between drugs and DNA to inhibit DNA methyltransferases, we focus on the design and development of hypomethylating agents. These agents are specifically tailored for the treatment of elderly AML patients, who may not be suitable candidates for intensive chemotherapy. |
Development of Immunotherapies for AML
| Drugs | Service Details |
| CAR-T Cell Therapy | We designed and generated CAR-T cells targeting AML cells and demonstrated cytotoxic activity in vivo in mouse model-based studies. Our goal is to find effective solutions to the lack of specific targets for CAR-T cell therapy in the treatment of AML. |
| Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibodies | Our focus lies in the design and construction of monoclonal antibodies that target CD47 and CD123, both of which are markers associated with leukemic stem cells in AML. Through rigorous validation experiments, we ensure the development of monoclonal antibodies that exhibit high specificity and efficacy in treating AML. |
| Bispecific Antibodies | Taking into account the widespread expression of CD123 in AML cells and the presence of CD3 on the surface of T cells, we have developed and constructed bispecific antibodies that target both CD123 and CD3. These antibodies aim to redirect the immune effector T cells towards AML cells, leveraging the immune system to combat AML more effectively. |
| Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors | Building upon the immune checkpoint PD-1, we focus on the design and generation of corresponding immune checkpoint blockade strategies. By targeting the PD-1 pathway, we seek to unleash the immune system's potential to recognize and eliminate AML cells, providing a promising avenue for improving therapeutic results in AML treatment. |
Development of Antibody–Drug Conjugates for AML
By utilizing CD33, a surface-specific receptor found on AML cells, in combination with antibiotics that exhibit toxicity towards AML stem cells, we develop antibody-drug conjugates that effectively couple these two components. These antibody-drug conjugates are designed to specifically target CD33-expressing cells, facilitating their uptake and ultimately contributing to the treatment of AML. Additionally, we offer assistance in determining the optimal dosing regimen for antibody-drug conjugates, ensuring their efficacy and safety in clinical applications.
Therapies for AML That We Can Develop
Advantages of Our Services
- We have a team of experienced scientists and researchers with specialized knowledge in AML drug development.
- We offer end-to-end solutions to accelerate the development of AML therapeutics.
- We support the development of multiple therapies for the treatment of AML.
Alfa Cytology provides comprehensive services for the development of treatments for AML, supporting your research endeavors in the field of AML treatment. We can advance the development of innovative therapeutics for AML and improve AML outcomes. If you are interested in our services or have any inquiries, please feel free to contact us.
Reference
- Stanchina, M.; et al. Advances in acute myeloid leukemia: recently approved therapies and drugs in development. Cancers. 2020, 12(11): 3225.