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Overcoming Deletion 17p Using a Specifically Targeted Therapy with Dr. Robert Orlowski, MD, PhD, MD Anderson
In our fourth MCRI episode featuring the top 10 proposals for high-risk multiple myeloma, Dr. Robert Orlowski of the MD Anderson Cancer Center teaches us about the aggressive nature of del17p. He explains that when patients have del17p, they lose an important gene (p53) that typically is the "defender of the genome" that keeps genetic mutations in check. P53 is THE most commonly mutated gene across all cancers. When that gene is lost or mutated, cancer cells can grow exponentially because they are no longer properly regulated by this master regulator gene. They have found that when this p53 gene is mutated, a protein called survivin is found in higher quantities. Survivin helps keep myeloma cells alive, which is why traditional chemotherapies don't work exceptionally well for those with del 17p. By targeting this survivin protein with an inhibitor, or "designer drug" just for this problem, then the traditional drugs like bortezomib and pomalidomide can be used to kill the myeloma cells without resistance issues. The survivin inhibitor has already been tested in Phase I clinical trials but this is the first time that it is being used with combination therapies in multiple myeloma for a one-two punch at myeloma cells.

In our fourth MCRI episode featuring the top 10 proposals for high-risk multiple myeloma, Dr. Robert Orlowski of the MD Anderson Cancer Center teaches us about the aggressive nature of del17p. He explains that when patients have del17p, they lose an important gene (p53) that typically is the "defender of the genome" that keeps genetic mutations in check. P53 is THE most commonly mutated gene across all cancers. When that gene is lost or mutated, cancer cells can grow exponentially because they are no longer properly regulated by this master regulator gene. They have found that when this p53 gene is mutated, a protein called survivin is found in higher quantities. Survivin helps keep myeloma cells alive, which is why traditional chemotherapies don't work exceptionally well for those with del 17p. By targeting this survivin protein with an inhibitor, or "designer drug" just for this problem, then the traditional drugs like bortezomib and pomalidomide can be used to kill the myeloma cells without resistance issues. The survivin inhibitor has already been tested in Phase I clinical trials but this is the first time that it is being used with combination therapies in multiple myeloma for a one-two punch at myeloma cells.


Robert Orlowski, MD, PhD

Jennifer Ahlstrom