Better-timed drug combinations for acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

Translating Improved Pairing and Timing of Drug Combination Strategies

NIH-funded research Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11180352

This project tests whether smarter pairing and timing of existing AML drugs can help people with acute myeloid leukemia avoid or overcome treatment resistance.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionOregon Health & Science University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Portland, United States)
Project IDNIH-11180352 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers use blood and bone marrow samples from people with AML to map how leukemia cells change when exposed to different drugs and to signals from immune and stromal (support) cells. They apply large-scale functional genomics and genome-wide CRISPR screening to find genes and pathways that cause resistance. Computational analyses combine those datasets to nominate drug combinations and optimal timing that could prevent or reverse resistance. Promising combinations from these lab and computational studies may be moved into clinical testing.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia—particularly those relapsing after targeted therapies (like FLT3, IDH1/2, or BCL2 inhibitors) or those able to provide blood or bone marrow samples—would be most relevant.

Not a fit: People without AML, or AML patients who cannot or will not enroll in related trials or provide samples, are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce drug combinations and schedules that lead to longer remissions or overcome drug resistance in people with AML.

How similar studies have performed: Related approaches have already nominated combinations that entered clinical trials, showing promise but not yet delivering broadly durable remissions, so this work builds on promising but not definitive results.

Where this research is happening

Portland, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.