Elacytarabine--lipid vector technology overcoming drug resistance in acute myeloid leukemia.

Introduction: Ara-C (cytarabine arabinoside) is a deoxycytidine analog that has an established role in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, especially acute myeloid leukemia. Resistance to ara-C occurs and impacts negatively on survival. To combat this, an elaidic acid ester of ara-C, called elacytarabine, has been developed.

Current status of agents active against the T315I chronic myeloid leukemia phenotype.

Introduction: T315I is a genetic mutation of the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase, the pathogenetic abnormality in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). It accounts for 10 ? 15% of clinically relevant CML mutations. Licensed tyrosine kinase inhibitors are ineffective against this mutation and its development reduces life expectancy of CML in chronic phase from 10 years to just 22 months.