Research team illuminates potential new treatment in acute myeloid leukemia

Tyrosine kinases are protein enzymes that have many functions within cells, including cell signaling, growth, and division. Sometimes these enzymes can be overactive, which helps cancer cells survive and multiply. A tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) is a medication given to certain acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients to block the actions of overactive tyrosine kinases, with the ultimate goal of stopping or slowing cancer cell growth.