Chronic myeloid leukemia: how T cells and leukemia stem cells interact during treatment
Official title: In chronic myeloid leukemia, persistence of leukemia stem cells during tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment is influenced by interaction with αβT cells
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11418370 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant explores how immune cells and stubborn leukemia stem cells interact during therapy to better predict if patients can stay off treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $477,218 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA291994-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418370 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with chronic myeloid leukemia who have achieved a major molecular response to Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitors and are candidates for therapy discontinuation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not achieved a deep molecular response or are not considering stopping TKIs may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
The project looks at patients with CML who have strong responses to therapy and may try stopping treatment. It uses single-cell analysis and animal models to understand which leukemia stem cells persist and how they interact with αβT cells. The goal is to identify markers that predict who remains in remission after stopping TKIs. Findings could guide personalized decisions about stopping treatment and monitoring. The work is grounded in real patient biology and translational animal studies to bridge lab findings to patient care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could improve our ability to predict who can safely discontinue therapy and reduce unnecessary treatment for CML patients.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data and prior scRNA-Seq work suggest distinct LSC and αβT cell interactions; translating this could enable predictive tools.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Eklund, Elizabeth Ann — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Eklund, Elizabeth Ann
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Targeting DYRK2 to kill leukemia stem cells in CML
Aims to find ways to remove leukemia stem cells in chronic myeloid leukemia by boosting a protein (DYRK2) that can halt their growth.
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Why chronic myeloid leukemia sometimes resists treatment and how to improve TKI care
This project looks at why some people with chronic myeloid leukemia respond differently to tyrosine kinase inhibitor drugs and aims to help more patients get deeper, longer-lasting remissions.
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Targeting a specific protein to eliminate leukemia stem cells in chronic myeloid leukemia.
This study is looking at a new way to help people with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) by focusing on a protein called DYRK2, which could help make leukemia stem cells less likely to survive, so patients might be able to stop their current treatments without their cancer coming back.
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Understanding how some patients with chronic myeloid leukemia can remain healthy without treatment
This study is looking into why some people with chronic myeloid leukemia can stay healthy without taking their medication, using mice to find out what helps them maintain remission, which could lead to better ways to manage the condition and lessen the need for long-term treatment.
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Improving treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia with targeted therapies
This study is looking for ways to help people with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) respond better to their main treatment, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), especially during the first year after they are diagnosed, so that more patients can achieve a lasting remission and possibly a cure.
-
Targeting a specific protein to treat chronic myeloid leukemia
This study is testing a new small protein that could help stop a key protein linked to chronic myeloid leukemia from working against you, and if it works, it might offer a fresh treatment option for patients like you.
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.