Purdue researchers create drug to fight one of the most deadly cancers

LAFAYETTE, Indiana (KTRK) -- Purdue researchers have created a new drug that fights one of the most deadly cancers.

It's a drug for people who have acute myeloid leukemia, or AML. It's an aggressive cancer that attacks blood cells. Any infection a person gets could be deadly.

Purdue researchers believe this new drug has potential to save many lives.

Cancer has personally touched the Purdue campus this year. Tyler Trent, a 20-year-old Boilermakers superfan who captured sports fans' attention when he predicted an upset against the second-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, died in early January of a rare form of bone cancer.

RELATED: Tyler Trent, Purdue Boilermakers superfan who inspired many, dies of cancer at 20

Tyler Trent, a 20-year-old Purdue University student in hospice care amid battle against terminal bone cancer, was at Ross-Ade Stadium when the Boilermakers pulled off a stunning upset against Ohio State that he had predicted.

The next step for the drug is a clinical trial.