The kinase inhibitor LS104 induces apoptosis, enhances cytotoxic effects of chemotherapeutic drugs and is targeting the receptor tyrosine kinase FLT3 in acute myeloid leukemia.

Activating mutations of FLT3 are found in approximately one-third of acute myeloid leukemia (AML)-cases and are considered to represent an attractive therapeutic target. In this study, we report that the hydroxystyryl-acrylonitrile compound LS104 inhibits proliferation and induces potent cytotoxic effects in FLT3 expressing leukemic cells in vitro. Immunoblot and phosphoprotein-FACS analysis demonstrated inhibiton of phosphorylation of FLT3-ITD and of its downstream targets.