Apolipoprotein M and protecting the heart
Apolipoprotein M: a novel regulator of myocardial Autophagy
['FUNDING_R01'] · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · NIH-11171498
This work looks at whether higher levels of apolipoprotein M can protect the heart from damage caused by the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin and help people with or at risk for heart failure.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11171498 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are focused on a blood protein called apolipoprotein M (ApoM) that is lower in people with worse heart failure outcomes. They combine human data and laboratory models, including mice exposed to the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin that can harm the heart, to study how ApoM affects heart cell cleanup (autophagy) and survival. In mouse models, raising ApoM improved survival and prevented heart dysfunction, and early work in an acute myeloid leukemia model suggests ApoM does not stop doxorubicin from killing cancer. The team will use patient samples, animal experiments, and molecular studies to understand whether raising ApoM could become a protective approach for patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would include people with heart failure or those receiving doxorubicin chemotherapy who are willing to provide clinical data or blood samples for related clinical studies.
Not a fit: People without heart disease or those not exposed to anthracycline chemotherapy are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that raise ApoM to prevent or reduce heart failure, particularly chemotherapy-related heart damage.
How similar studies have performed: Human observational data and preclinical mouse experiments show promising signals, but translating ApoM-raising approaches into human therapies is still novel and unproven.
Where this research is happening
SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES
- WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY — SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: JAVAHERI, ALI — WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: JAVAHERI, ALI
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions: Anti-Cancer Agents