Exploring how serine metabolism affects aggressive types of acute myeloid leukemia
Official title: Determining the Role and Targeting potential of Serine Metabolism in aggressive sub-types of Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11032874 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain cancer cells in aggressive types of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) use a substance called serine to grow, with the hope of finding new ways to treat this serious blood cancer in both adults and kids.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $571,213 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA273127-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11032874 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with aggressive sub-types of acute myeloid leukemia, particularly those with MLL-rearrangements or FLT3 internal tandem duplications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with less aggressive forms of leukemia or those who do not have the specific genetic markers being studied may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of serine metabolism in aggressive sub-types of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a severe blood cancer affecting both adults and children. The study aims to understand how AML cells utilize serine to support their growth and survival, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies. By examining metabolic pathways and employing advanced techniques like metabolomics and proteomics, researchers hope to identify vulnerabilities in these cancer cells. The ultimate goal is to develop more effective treatments that could improve patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that significantly improve survival rates for patients with aggressive forms of acute myeloid leukemia.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in targeting metabolic pathways in cancer, suggesting that this approach could be effective for AML as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sykes, Stephen Matthew — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Sykes, Stephen Matthew
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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-
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-
Targeting the protein housekeeping system in adult leukemia
Researchers are testing a new approach to treat acute myeloid leukemia by disrupting how AML cells manage their proteins, with the goal of helping patients live longer and healthier lives.
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Understanding how epigenetic helper proteins drive AML and how to target them
A scientist team is studying how accessory proteins in gene-regulating complexes affect acute myeloid leukemia and whether they can be targeted for safer, more precise therapies.
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Targeting FLVCR1-enabled choline use in a aggressive AML subtype
A new approach aims to block how a specific leukemia subtype (CG-AML) takes up choline to feed its growth, potentially slowing or stopping the disease.
-
Advancing CD70-targeted CAR-NK Therapy for AML
A patient-focused look at a new cell therapy that uses engineered NK cells to target AML by hitting CD70, aiming to reduce relapse with potentially fewer blood cell problems.
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.