New drug cocktail shows promise against tough leukemia

This study tested a combination of three drugs (decitabine, venetoclax, and ponatinib) in 20 adults with a rare, aggressive leukemia called Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute myeloid leukemia or chronic myelogenous leukemia in blast phase. The goal was to see if the drugs could shrink or eliminate the cancer enough to allow for a stem cell transplant. The treatment aims to control the disease, not cure it, as ongoing management is typically needed.