Boosting TET Activity to Help Treat AML with Vitamin C
Official title: Enhancing TET activity for the treatment of hematological malignancy
Funded at University of Miami School of Medicine · NIH-11398136 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Vitamin C may help people with a type of blood cancer (AML) by boosting a natural anti-cancer pathway, potentially improving outcomes for adults with this disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $351,131 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA282453-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11398136 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with AML (including TET2-mutant forms) who may be candidates for adjuvant or novel therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose AML does not rely on TET2 pathways or who cannot tolerate vitamin C–related regimens may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant explores whether high-dose vitamin C can activate TET enzymes in AML cells, helping to reprogram the cancer’s DNA and slow disease progression. The approach combines cellular and animal model studies to understand how residual TET2 activity could be enhanced in patients with TET2-mutant AML. If successful, the work could point toward a non-toxic adjuvant therapy that complements existing treatments, especially for older adults who may not tolerate aggressive chemotherapy. The project is led by Luisa Cimmino at the University of Miami and spans several years to translate lab findings toward potential clinical testing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a safer, vitamin C–based approach that improves survival or quality of life for AML patients, especially those with TET2 mutations.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies have shown that ascorbate can alter AML epigenetics and slow leukemia progression in models, supporting further exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Miami School of Medicine
Coral Gables, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cimmino, Luisa — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Cimmino, Luisa
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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.