BH3 profiling (functional apoptosis testing)
A lab test that measures how close a leukaemia cell is to self-destructing, and which survival protein is holding it back, to predict response to venetoclax-type drugs.
Permeabilised cells are exposed to BH3 peptides; mitochondrial depolarisation reveals dependence on BCL-2, BCL-XL, or MCL-1. Predicted venetoclax response in AML and CLL in research cohorts and explains MCL-1-mediated resistance. Being commercialised as a companion tool for BH3-mimetic selection and combination design.
How it works
Dynamic BH3 profiling quantifies 'priming' for apoptosis after brief drug exposure.
- Functional readout of the pathway venetoclax targets
- Fast (hours)
- Fresh cells required
- Not yet a validated companion diagnostic
Latest papers
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