A phase II clinical trial of a new acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) drug designed for elderly patients has been initiated.

Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals said that oral sapacitabine is being studied to determine the survival rates of patients who have not been treated for the disease, or are experiencing their first relapse, when they are given one of three different doses of the drug.

In a statement, the firm confirmed that it would also record the number of patients who experience a complete remission or complete remission without blood count recovery, as well as monitoring the safety of the treatment, how long patients have to stay in hospital and their transfusion requirements.

A total of 60 elderly patients are expected to be recruited to the study.

This reflects the tendency of the disease to strike older people, with the American Cancer Society reporting that the average age of a patient living with AML is 67.

Masters can source and distribute drugs undergoing clinical trials to healthcare providers around the world to help meet the medical needs of patients across the world.