Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026

10:49
Pre-clinical Evaluation of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Treatment of Acute Leukemia
Published on: September 18, 2013
Enhanced bactericidal function by WKYMVm in patients with acute leukemia.
Hawk Kim1, Eui-Kyu Noh, Eun Jung Lee
1Division of Hematology-Oncology, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Republic of Korea. kimhawk@mail.ulsan.ac.kr
Leukemia Research
|October 24, 2007
Summary
The hexapeptide WKYMVm enhances the ability of white blood cells to kill bacteria in patients with acute leukemia (AL). This peptide shows promise for improving immune function during AL treatment.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hematology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Neutrophils from neutropenic patients with solid tumors show stimulated bactericidal activity with WKYMVm.
- Acute leukemia (AL) patients often have impaired immune function, increasing infection risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if WKYMVm can enhance leukocyte bactericidal activity in patients with acute leukemia (AL).
Main Methods:
- Blood samples from 28 AL patients and 31 healthy controls were analyzed.
- Bactericidal activity was measured with and without WKYMVm.
- Cytokine concentrations (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-2, IL-4, IL-12) were measured.
Main Results:
- WKYMVm significantly increased bactericidal activity in AL patient leukocytes in a dose-dependent manner.
- Bactericidal activity increased during induction chemotherapy, peaking at complete remission.
- WKYMVm had no effect during consolidation chemotherapy; cytokine profiles showed complex correlations with bactericidal activity.
Conclusions:
- WKYMVm effectively enhances leukocyte bactericidal activity in AL patients.
- The peptide's efficacy varies during different chemotherapy phases.
- Cytokine modulation may influence WKYMVm's impact on immune function in AL.
