Novel treatment regime to improve survival in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)
Jessica Bowden, a pathology scientist at the University of South Australia, is investigating new ways to overcome drug resistance in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), an aggressive blood cancer that often returns after treatment.
Her research focuses on targeting CD93 signalling to overcome venetoclax resistance in AML. Venetoclax, a breakthrough therapy, has offered hope — especially for older patients unable to undergo intensive chemotherapy. However, many patients eventually relapse as their cancer becomes resistant to the drug.
Early findings show that a molecule called CD93 is much higher in treatment-resistant AML, “switching on” survival pathways that allow leukaemia cells to evade therapy.
Ms Bowden’s project will:
- Study CD93 in depth to understand how it drives drug resistance.
- Test whether existing medicines can block this pathway.
- Use advanced laboratory models to determine if blocking CD93 can restore venetoclax sensitivity.
The research aims to:
- Help patients stay on effective treatment longer.
- Improve survival rates and quality of life.
- Open the door to new treatment strategies using already-approved drugs — bringing hope to patients and families sooner.
By restoring venetoclax’s effectiveness, Ms Bowden’s work could redefine how AML is treated and offer renewed optimism for patients facing relapse.
