Natural Plant-Derived Compound Enhances Treatment of Aggressive Leukemia and Boosts Chemotherapy Effectiveness

Recent research from the University of Surrey highlights the promising potential of forskolin, a natural compound extracted from a plant, in improving outcomes for patients with an aggressive form of leukemia known as KMT2A-rearranged Acute Myeloid Leukemia (KMT2A-r AML). The study, published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, demonstrates that forskolin not only inhibits the growth of leukemia cells but also enhances the effectiveness of existing chemotherapy drugs. Notably, forskolin activates Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) which suppresses cancer-promoting genes such as MYC, HOXA9, and HOXA10. Interestingly, the compound also appears to increase leukemia cells' sensitivity to daunorubicin, a standard chemotherapy drug, by blocking P-glycoprotein 1, a protein responsible for pumping chemotherapy agents out of cancer cells. This dual mechanism—both direct anti-cancer activity and increased drug sensitivity—offers a promising avenue for more effective treatment strategies with potentially lower chemotherapy doses, reducing harmful side effects. Dr. Maria Teresa Esposito of the University of Surrey remarked on the significance of these findings, emphasizing the potential to develop combination therapies that are more effective and less toxic. Experts like Dr. Simon Ridley from Leukemia UK highlight that such advancements could play a vital role in improving survival rates and treatment quality for AML patients, especially those with difficult-to-treat forms.