University of Adelaide researchers are claiming a game-changing result in tests for a new cancer treatment.

The Australian team says it is zeroing-in on an exciting new technique to kill off cancer cells in patients with leukaemia.

Researchers have found that cancer cells decide whether to live or die after a short period of intense exposure to targeted therapy, which goes against the current requirement for continuous treatment.

The team subsequently identified a new target in resistant and persistent disease. They show that by blocking a common protein they can more effectively cause death in leukaemia cells.

The study could present a new treatment strategy which will translate to a significant reduction in side effects for patients. The results have been published online ahead of print in the Nature journal Leukemia. 

“This discovery is paradigm shifting,” says Professor Deborah White, Director of Cancer Research with the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and University of Adelaide professor.

“Our findings are not just applicable to chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) therapy, but to all targeted cancer treatments.

“In our research, we're looking for methods that will result in the cancer cell killing itself. This would provide an improved treatment and reduce the risk of cancer relapse.”

Researchers have been investigating the role of a common protein known as STAT5.

“The activity of STAT5 appears to be a critical determinant of the decision for cancer cells to live or die,” says Ms Schafranek, a Leukaemia Foundation of Australia PhD scholar.

“Our research has found that by blocking STAT5 in conjunction with exposure to a regular anti-cancer treatment, we were able to more effectively target the leukaemia cells. We now also better understand the timing required for the combined treatment to be effective.”