Role of Enhanced Autophagy in Resistance of FLT3-ITD AML Stem Cells to FLT3 TKI Treatment

The FLT3-ITD mutation occurs in 25-30% of AML patients, and is associated with increased relapse rate and poor survival. FLT3 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) have shown encouraging results, but responses are not sustained in most patients. Therefore there is considerable interest in understanding mechanism contributing to resistance and preservation of FLT3-ITD AML stem cells after TKI treatment. Autophagy is an important cellular response that...