Effects of a selective inhibitor of the Abl tyrosine kinase on the growth of Bcr-Abl positive cells.

Druker, B J; Tamura, S; Buchdunger, E; Ohno, S; Segal, G M; Fanning, S; Zimmermann, J; Lydon, N B · Nat Med · 1996

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The bcr-abl oncogene, present in 95% of patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), has been implicated as the cause of this disease. A compound, designed to inhibit the Abl protein tyrosine kinase, was evaluated for its effects on cells containing the Bcr-Abl fusion protein. Cellular proliferation and tumor formation by Bcr-Abl-expressing cells were specifically inhibited by this compound. In colony-forming assays of peripheral blood or bone marrow from patients with CML, there was a 92-98% decrease in the number of bcr-abl colonies formed but no inhibition of normal colony formation. This compound may be useful in the treatment of bcr-abl-positive leukemias.

Medical subject headings