NYU Langone Study Identifies Lung Infiltration Pathway in AML, Validates Steroids as Standard Treatment
Event summary
- NYU Langone researchers published a study in Nature Immunology on June 29, 2026, detailing how AML cells infiltrate and damage lung tissue.
- The study identified galectin-9 and IL-33 receptor as key drivers of lung inflammation in AML patients.
- Steroid treatment (prednisone) showed dramatic improvement in respiratory function within 12 hours for all treated patients.
- A phase 1 clinical trial is testing an antibody treatment targeting galectin-9 to combat AML.
The big picture
This study addresses a critical gap in understanding how AML cells invade the lungs, offering new molecular targets for drug development. The validation of steroids as an effective treatment could significantly improve early intervention strategies for AML patients. With approximately 23,000 new AML cases expected in 2026, these findings have broad implications for patient care and treatment outcomes.
What we're watching
- Treatment Protocol Shift
- Whether early steroid treatment will become a standardized guideline for AML patients experiencing respiratory distress.
- Drug Development Pipeline
- The pace at which galectin-9 targeting therapies progress through clinical trials and potential regulatory approval.
- Combination Therapy Potential
- How combining galectin-9 blockade with existing AML treatments may impact patient outcomes.
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