Targeting Melanoma and Leukemia

Pathologists recently validated a DNA test for a gene mutation called KIT, associated with response to a class of drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors. These inhibitors overcome the effect of the cancer mutation to thwart cancer cell growth.

Melanoma patients whose tumor cells harbor this mutation may benefit from expanded treatment options. Interestingly, the same class of drugs is often effective in treating leukemia if the tumor cells have a specific DNA defect called BCR/ABL1 translocation.

This defect has a similar action as the KIT mutation in causing cancer growth. Moreover, if the drug stops working, a laboratory test for acquired mutation in the BCR/ABL1 gene can yield further information on which of the alternative 4tyrosine kinase inhibitor drugs is more likely to be effective.

This work is funded in part by the University Cancer Research Fund.