Foundation Medicine Collaborates with Sumitomo Pharma America to Advance Investigational Treatment for Patients with Acute Leukemia with NPM1 Mutations or KMT2A Rearrangements Using the FoundationOne®Heme Platform

Original from: Foundation Medicine

Foundation Medicine, Inc., a genomics company committed to transforming cancer care, today announced a collaboration with Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc. (SMPA) to develop the FoundationOne®Heme platform as a companion diagnostic to identify patients with acute leukemia with a KMT2A rearrangement, also known as mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) rearrangement, or NPM1 mutations for potential treatment with SMPA’s enzomenib (DSP-5336), an investigational menin inhibitor.

Acute leukemia requires immediate treatment as the blood cells multiply rapidly, leading to a sudden onset of symptoms. Approximately 30% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients have NPM1 mutations,   and 5-10% of AML patients have KMT2A (MLL) rearrangements.  

Menin inhibitors are emerging as a promising targeted therapy option for acute leukemia with KMT2A (MLL) rearrangements or NPM1 mutations. Menin is a protein that interacts with the KMT2A gene, playing a crucial role in regulating gene expression and protein interactions involved in hematopoiesis. Menin inhibitors are designed to disrupt this interaction, inhibiting the proliferation of leukemic cells.

“Thanks to advancements in comprehensive genomic profiling, we have seen an increased focus on developing new targeted therapies for patients with hematological malignancies, which may help bring the promise of precision medicine to more patients,” said Foundation Medicine’s Chief Biopharma Officer Troy Schurr. “We’re excited to work with Sumitomo to advance our FoundationOne Heme platform as a companion diagnostic as they advance investigation of this promising potential treatment option for acute leukemia patients with a KMT2Arearrangement and NPM1 mutations.”

Foundation Medicine’s portfolio of tests offers physicians both blood- and tissue-based testing options for detecting genomic alterations that help guide personalized treatment decisions. Foundation Medicine is the global leader in companion diagnostic approvals, with more than 50% of all approved companion diagnostic indications for next-generation sequencing (NGS) testing in the United States and Japan.

Source: Foundation Medicine Collaborates with Sumitomo Pharma America to Advance Investigational Treatment for Patients with Acute Leukemia with NPM1 Mutations or KMT2A Rearrangements Using the FoundationOne®Heme Platform