Compartmentalized BCAA Metabolism in AML
Official title: Compartmentalized BCAA Metabolism in Myeloid Leukemia
Funded at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NIH-11447829 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at St. Jude investigates how a specific amino acid pathway drives acute myeloid leukemia and whether targeting it could help diagnose or treat the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | July 17, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $423,188 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA308059-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11447829 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with acute myeloid leukemia or related myeloid conditions who may benefit from metabolism-targeted therapies could be impacted by this research.
✕Less likely to help
The findings may not directly benefit patients who do not have AML or related myeloid diseases.
What this research studies
This project looks at how branched-chain amino acid metabolism, especially the BCAT1 enzyme, changes in AML and how these changes support leukemia cell growth. Using specialized mouse models, the team will compare BCAT1 and BCAT2 roles in blood cell formation and leukemia progression to identify targeted ways to disrupt cancer metabolism while preserving normal blood cells. The goal is to find metabolic weaknesses in leukemia cells that could lead to new diagnostic or therapeutic options for patients with AML.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to metabolic-based diagnostics or targeted treatments that spare healthy blood cells, offering new options for AML patients.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have linked BCAT1/BCAT2 to cancer metabolism, with promising preclinical results suggesting potential translational value.
Where this research is happening
-
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xu, Jian — St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Study coordinator: Xu, Jian
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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.