title: Is the focus moving toward a combination of targeted drugs?
abstract: The concept of combining targeted agents for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a relatively new but potentially promising area of investigation. A number of targeted agents may have limited single-agent activity but could show significant promise when used in conjunction with other types of similar compounds. Combinations of targeted agents may effectively interrupt multiple pathways in either a linear or parallel fashion. There are currently numerous combination regimens under investigation at either the preclinical or clinical levels, including histone deacetylase (HDAC) and CDK inhibitors; HDAC and proteasome inhibitors; HDAC and NF-kappaB (IKKbeta) inhibitors; CHK1 and MEK1/2 inhibitors; and BCL-2 antagonists and CDK inhibitors. Although combinations of targeted agents will not displace conventional cytotoxic regimens in AML or related disorders in the foreseeable future, these combinations clearly warrant further attention.
authors.affiliation: Virginia Commonwealth University/Massey Cancer Center, 401 College Street, PO Box 980035, Richmond, VA 23298-0035, USA. stgrant@vcu.edu
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grant
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors