Chapter 228: Drugs that can cure acute myeloid leukemia? !
Qingshan Pharmaceutical Drug Research and Development Center.
In the spacious and bright large conference hall, dozens of R&D backbones were sitting on chairs, looking at the stage intently.
"Everyone knows that leukemia can be divided into two types: 'chronic leukemia' and 'acute leukemia' according to the speed of cell differentiation."
“Currently the world’s most well-known leukemia treatment drug, Gleevec, is mainly used to treat ‘myeloid leukemia’ among chronic leukemias, also known as ‘chronic myelogenous leukemia’.”
"Gleevec is currently listed as the drug of choice for the treatment of 'chronic myelogenous leukemia' both domestically and internationally, and its clinical treatment priority is even higher than bone marrow stem cell transplantation."
"The reason is also very simple, because Gleevec can effectively control the development of 'chronic myelogenous leukemia' for a long time, turning it from a malignant hematological tumor into a controllable 'chronic disease'."
"Unless the condition of most patients worsens, suddenly develops into a blast phase, or develops drug resistance, stem cell transplantation will not be recommended. Instead, they will be advised to continue taking Gleevec for control."
"So... more than six years ago, when the first project team of our R&D center was first established, we focused the research and development of leukemia drugs on the classification of 'acute myeloid leukemia'!"
"These are two completely different tracks from the 'chronic myelogenous leukemia' treated by Gleevec."
Standing on the podium at the top of the conference hall and speaking was Wei Tian. Below him, thirty or forty of the top researchers from the Qingshan Pharmaceutical Drug Research and Development Center were sitting.
Apparently, at this very moment, he was having a pep rally!
"Of course..."
"Although 'acute myeloid leukemia' is called 'acute', it is not an acute disease in the traditional sense and is easier to cure!"
"On the contrary, the acuteness here is based on the differentiation speed of malignant cells. The higher the acuteness, it means that the leukemia cancer cells reproduce faster and are more destructive, and can cause huge harm to the human body in a short period of time."
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"It can be said that compared with 'chronic myeloid leukemia', acute subtypes are more difficult to treat and have a higher mortality rate. Except for a few subtypes, the only effective treatment at present is high-dose, high-intensity chemotherapy followed by stem cells immediately. Transplant!”
"There is no other way!"
As he spoke, Wei Tian paused for a moment, looked at the many researchers in the audience who were looking at him intently, nodded and continued:
"According to the latest prevalence statistics, among all types of leukemia, the incidence rate of 'acute myeloid leukemia' is as high as 59%, and the vast majority of them are young people between the ages of 20 and 35! ”
"What does this mean?!"
"This means that nearly 60% of leukemia patients cannot control their disease with drugs. Their only way to survive is to undergo bone marrow stem cell transplantation immediately after chemotherapy!"
Speaking of this, Wei Tian paused again.
Only this time he paused longer, remaining silent for about ten seconds before he continued:
"But... everyone is well aware of the risks associated with bone marrow transplantation. Not only will there be high costs, but there will also be huge risks such as postoperative infection and rejection!"
"The most unacceptable thing is that due to the extremely high degree of malignancy of 'acute myeloid leukemia', the recurrence rate after transplantation is as high as 20% to 30% even for 'identical siblings' (siblings = full brothers and sisters);
And with haplotype matching (chromosomal leukocyte antigen genes are exactly the same, parents and children.) the recurrence rate after transplantation is even higher, reaching 30% to 40%! ”
"In other words, even if nearly 60% of leukemia patients undergo bone marrow stem cell transplantation, 30 to 40% of them will eventually face death without any cure."
Wei Tian's deep voice echoed in the conference room.
The recurrence rate as high as 30~40% frightened the top drug researchers present who were used to seeing all kinds of difficult and complicated diseases.
In fact, the previous data that 59% of patients with "acute myeloid leukemia" cannot be controlled by drugs is somewhat unexpected. However, I did not expect that the relapse rate among these 59% is as high as 30 to 40%.
Doesn't this mean death?
At this moment, Wei Tian's voice sounded again.
"But fortunately, after decades of research, the medical community has conducted in-depth research on the pathogenesis and related targets of 'acute myeloid leukemia'!"
"Our first project team of Qingshan Pharmaceutical stepped on the shoulders of countless giants in the medical field, invested heavily, and after nearly seven years of continuous research, we finally found a target that is extremely sensitive to leukemia cells!"
"Once we fully understand the more detailed mechanism of action of this target, and once we can further purify and screen the effective compounds currently available, I believe we are very likely to achieve a complete cure for 'acute myeloid leukemia' through this target! ”
“And this is also the fundamental purpose why I specially selected outstanding people from various project teams and convened a meeting here today!”
"Now!"
"The first project team has reached the most critical moment in developing drugs that can cure 'acute myeloid leukemia'!"
"Now, colleagues in the first team need your support!
Now, the golden brand of Qingshan Pharmaceutical needs your joint defense!
Now, countless patients suffering from acute leukemia are waiting for us to save! ”
"Everyone, can we all go all out together in the next three months?! Break out of the siege!"
"Yes!"
As soon as the words fell, the emotions of all the researchers present were instantly ignited, and everyone answered in unison.
"Okay!"
Wei Tian finally showed a smile on his face.
To be honest, it is actually very common for the core members of various project teams to be deployed to conquer a drug.
After all, world-renowned R&D pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer and Gilead adopt a wide-net model. At the same time, there are often several or even a dozen drug R&D projects within the company.
At the beginning, each project basically shared resources equally. Only after a certain project really made progress, the company would gradually focus more manpower and financial resources on R&D projects that were likely to produce results.
Of course, even though this is said, the principle is also the same.
However, the R&D backbones transferred this time were all the elites of each project team, which directly led to the suspension of the projects that were originally being carried out by multiple project teams. The leading doctors of each project team were quite critical.
Therefore, the most important thing at the moment is to unify our thoughts and work together.
Thinking of this, Wei Tian couldn't help but feel quite emotional.
I have to say that this time the first project team really strived to achieve their goals. Six and a half years was not a long time, but a short time was not short. After countless failures, they actually made breakthrough progress!
You must know that the drug developed this time to treat "acute leukemia" is not like the previous male contraceptive pills. Once it can be developed and marketed, it will be a drug that truly transcends the times!
Tsingshan Pharmaceutical and all members involved in research and development will be recorded in history and remembered!
How could this not make him excited?
"Okay, since everyone is fine, let me ask Zhou Qingsong and Zhou Bo, the project leader of our first project team and the leader of this 'acute leukemia' drug research and development, to say a few words to everyone."
The conference room suddenly burst into fierce applause.
After a while, Dr. Zhou, whom Wei Tian was talking about, slowly stood up from the first row and walked to the stage under the gaze of everyone. With a smile on his face, he smiled and said:
“Actually, there’s not much to say.”
"Although your colleagues' main research and development direction is not blood diseases, there is no doubt that you are professional in the field of drug research and development."
"Next, we will describe the research and development projects that require your assistance in documents. I believe that with your professional ability, you will be able to really get started soon."
"I would like to thank you all in advance. I hope we can work together to achieve greater results this time!"
"By the way, everyone's grouping will be arranged by my assistant. If you have any special requirements or areas of special expertise, you can directly inform my assistant now. We will notify the final grouping call by tonight at the latest. Everyone.”
"Well, that's it!"
After the words fell, bursts of applause erupted in the conference room again.
At this time, Dr. Zhou's assistant also stood up and began to introduce the situation of the first project team to the researchers, while also starting to register the projects that each researcher was good at.
Seeing the enthusiasm of the transferred researchers in front of them, Wei Tian and Dr. Zhou on the stage also looked at each other and smiled, and gradually left the stage to their assistants.
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The two quietly walked to the door of the conference room, and the noise in their ears was no longer so noisy. Dr. Zhou stopped first, looked at Wei Tian and said with a smile:
"Director Wei, I'm afraid you haven't told Mr. Zhang about the transfer of so many R&D talents, right? Do you think we should tell Mr. Zhang?"
When Wei Tian heard this, he immediately smiled and waved his hands:
"There is no need for this matter for the time being. Zhou Bo, you don't know that Mr. Zhang has been busy with Chinese medicinal materials recently, so we won't bother him, right?"
"Uh...that's okay."
After saying that, the two looked at each other again and smiled tacitly.
Of course Dr. Zhou knew what Wei Tian was thinking.
Although there has been a major breakthrough in the treatment of "acute leukemia", there is still a long way to go before it can be put into practice.
Of course, Wei Tian hopes to wait until it turns into tangible results before telling Zhang Yang and giving Zhang Yang a surprise.
Of course, Wei Tian also guessed Zhou Bo's inner thoughts.
Although the first project team, under the leadership of Dr. Zhou, has developed drugs such as male contraceptives, they have never been brought to the market. The fame and influence it has brought to Qingshan Pharmaceutical are by no means comparable to that of "leukemia" drugs.
Dr. Zhou naturally hopes that Mr. Zhang will not be involved for the time being, and that he will independently lead the team to complete the research and development of the project.
This is not entirely because Dr. Zhou is narrow-minded.
The main reason is that Zhang Yang's reputation is too great and the pressure is too strong. Once he intervenes in this project, it may disrupt the entire project process!
"Let's go, Zhou Bo, sit down in my office. I want to discuss some issues with you about this project!"
"Okay!"
The two of them pushed open the conference room door while talking and laughing, but as soon as they took a step, Wei Tian was suddenly stunned.
Zhang Yang and Mr. Zhang appeared at the door of the conference room at some unknown time.
"Wei Tian, Dr. Zhou, what did you two just say?"
"No...nothing to say!"
Wei Tian subconsciously denied it, but luckily Zhang Yang didn't continue to ask about it.
He just called the front desk of the R&D center and learned that Wei Tian had summoned most of the backbone to prepare for the final sprint on a drug. He simply went directly to the R&D center to learn about the specific situation.
After learning that there was a meeting in the conference room, as soon as they arrived at the door, they met Wei Tian and Dr. Zhou pushing open the door and leaving.
Seeing Wei Tian at this time, Zhang Yang simply asked directly:
"Wei Tian, I called your mobile phone just now to ask for custody. When I asked, I found out that you had convened a meeting with the key personnel of various projects to prepare for the sprint to develop a drug. What drug is it specifically? What is the situation?"
When Wei Tian heard this, he glanced at Dr. Zhou next to him subconsciously, and suddenly thought of the conversation they had just had.
After a moment, he hurriedly shook his head and said:
"Boss, there is no... no medicine, just an ordinary medicine."
"Common medicines?"
Zhang Yang was even more confused. He could see dozens of senior R&D personnel inside through the gap in the conference room door, including researchers he was quite familiar with.
After a moment, he smiled and said:
"Wei Tian, you don't think I don't have other channels to know, do you? If you don't tell me, then I will go directly to ask my little sister."
"You don't think that my little sister won't tell me, right?"
Upon hearing this, Wei Tian was suddenly stunned.
He originally wanted to give Zhang Yang a surprise, but he unexpectedly forgot about Zhou Xiaomei!
"That's all."
Wei Tian cried with a mournful face:
"Boss, I originally wanted to give you a surprise and tell you after the final results, but I forgot that you have a little girl as an undercover agent!"
"Well, to tell you the truth, under the leadership of Dr. Zhou, the first project team has made breakthrough progress in the treatment of 'acute myeloid leukemia'!"
"So far we have found several key targets, and at the same time, we have also found effective polymer compounds that respond well to the targets!"
"According to the experimental data currently available, effective polymer compounds can inhibit at least 60% of 'leukemia cells'!"
"In other words, even with the current situation, we have a high probability of developing drugs that can control 'acute myeloid leukemia'. The worst-case outcome can also significantly improve the survival period of current leukemia patients!"
"But!"
"In addition, in our thousands of experimental data, it happened that the 'leukemia cells' in two experiments were all killed, while other normal cells did not cause any damage!"
"It's just that at present we don't know which target or active ingredient is causing this situation, so!"
"This time I simply summoned all the R&D backbones of the R&D center to prepare for an all-out sprint, because the final effect Dr. Zhou and I want is not to control 'acute myeloid leukemia', but to completely cure it!"
cure!
Acute myeloid leukemia? !
Zhang Yang's eyes were startled, and his heart suddenly became excited!
(End of chapter)