Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Background

Despite significant improvements in outcomes for children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), today's therapies can cause toxic side effects, and too many young AML patients still relapse and die from the disease. There is an urgent need for less toxic, more effective therapies.

Background

Background

The mutation FLT3/ITD is common in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and results in over-activation of cell signaling causing enhanced cell proliferation and survival. Patients with FLT3/ITD have a poor prognosis. The role of FLT3 inhibitors as targeted therapy is currently being evaluated in children and adults with AML. Despite an initial response, many patients relapse as the leukemic cells develop new mechanisms to survive and resist the effects of the targeted therapy. This group of patients has very few treatment options and very poor survival.