DCAF15 protein and its role in acute myeloid leukemia
Assessment of DCAF15 role in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Researchers aim to find out whether changing the activity of DCAF15, a protein that controls how DNA is organized and proteins are broken down, could point to new treatments for people with acute myeloid leukemia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11310216 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As someone with AML, this project studies how DCAF15 causes breakdown of proteins that control DNA folding and replication in leukemia cells. The team will use lab-grown leukemia cells and disease models and may analyze patient-derived samples to see how altering DCAF15 affects cohesin proteins, acetylation, 3D genome organization, and cell growth. Their experiments look at protein degradation pathways already targeted by some blood-cancer drugs to see if DCAF15 is a useful new target. Findings are intended to highlight mechanisms that could be pursued in future drug development or clinical trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with acute myeloid leukemia—especially those whose tumors have cohesin-complex mutations or who have relapsed or refractory disease—would be most likely to qualify for follow-up trials based on this work.
Not a fit: Patients without AML or whose leukemia lacks cohesin-related alterations are unlikely to see direct benefit from this early laboratory-focused research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal a new target in the protein-degradation pathway that leads to therapies that slow or stop AML cell growth.
How similar studies have performed: Drugs that target the ubiquitin–proteasome system have helped some blood cancers, but directly targeting DCAF15’s control of cohesin is a newer, mainly preclinical approach.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Busino, Luca — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Busino, Luca
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.