L. Goupille, A. Boudet, L. Lauture, A. Sahal, G. Gautier-Renard, E. Chu-Van, AL. Nguyen, C. Chollet, C. Alcazar, I. Bernard, F. Vergez, V. de Mas, C. Récher, T. Kaoma, P. Gallipoli, V. Dembitz, I. Basili, F. Bernardi, O. Ayrault, C. Joffre, F. Castelli, B. Colsch, N. Bourgès-Abella, F. Granat, et al. (2026). Targeting systemic and tumor metabolic balances with ketogenic diets enhance efficacy of therapy in FLT3-ITD acute myeloid leukemia. Cell reports, 45(4), 117185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2026.117185

PubMed 41904949

[Abstract]
FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are associated with adverse prognosis. FLT3 inhibitors (FLT3i) improve therapeutic response; however, diverse resistance mechanisms, such as adaptations in lipid metabolism, have been identified. We hypothesized that a lipid-rich ketogenic diet (KD) might alter both host and tumoral lipid metabolism, enhancing responses to FLT3i. In FLT3-mutated AML mouse models, 3 weeks of lard- or plant-based KD improved the efficacy of FLT3i by 2-fold reduction of engraftment and tumor burden. KD increased ketone bodies and lipid accumulation in plasma, liver, and AML cells and also induced a polyunsaturated fatty acid:monounsaturated fatty acid (PUFA:MUFA) imbalance. KD impacted pentoses, hexoses, and amino acid metabolism, enhancing sugar phosphates and vitamins in the host. Mechanistically, KD rewired anabolism toward fatty acid oxidation and glycine-utilizing pathways, modulated the expression of FLT3 signaling pathways and lipid biosynthesis, and promoted tumor cell differentiation. In conclusion, this study shows that KD reduces FLT3i resistance, offering a promising therapeutic solution.