Scientists identify new class of leukemia-killing compounds

David Fruman (pictured), UCI associate professor of molecular biology & biochemistry, and colleagues have demonstrated that a new class of chemical compounds is highly effective at killing leukemia cells and is well tolerated by normal blood cells. These compounds inhibit the activity of an enzyme called mTOR, but in a different way than do current drugs. The findings raise hope that enzyme inhibitors in clinical trials will work well in patients and be tolerable. The study, published online in the journal Nature Medicine, was led by UCI graduate student Matthew Janes and supported through a collaboration with Intellikine, a La Jolla-based pharmaceutical company.