Genomic advances to improve outcomes in high-risk acute leukemia
Official title: Translating genomic discoveries to improved outcomes for high risk acute leukemia
Funded at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NIH-11413510 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A physician-scientist team is studying the genetic drivers of pediatric acute leukemia to find new ways to diagnose and treat it, with the goal of improving cure rates for kids.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | January 19, 2017 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,012,733 |
| NIH project number | 5R35CA197695-11 |
| Project ID | NIH-11413510 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children and young people with high-risk or subtypes of acute leukemia who may benefit from new diagnostics or targeted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with leukemia that do not have the studied genomic alterations or who are in complete remission may receive standard care without direct benefit from these specific discoveries.
What this research studies
This program builds on previous work identifying leukemia subtypes and how genetic changes drive disease and treatment failure. Researchers will model leukemia in experimental systems to understand mechanisms and test new therapeutic strategies. The work aims to translate genomic discoveries into practical diagnostics and targeted treatments that could help children with high-risk leukemia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better diagnostic tools and more effective, targeted therapies for pediatric acute leukemia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked genomic subtypes and chromatin changes to leukemogenesis and treatment response, guiding new therapeutic ideas.
Where this research is happening
-
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mullighan, Charles G — St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Study coordinator: Mullighan, Charles G
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Investigating a specific type of leukemia in children caused by genetic changes.
This study is looking at how certain proteins linked to leukemia affect kids and teens with high-risk blood cancers, and the researchers hope to find new ways to treat these conditions by learning more about how the disease works.
-
Reducing leukemia disparities in Latino children and teens
A large, multi-project effort aims to understand why Latino children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia have worse outcomes and how to reduce those gaps.
-
Understanding and Targeting Extramedullary Acute Leukemia
A clinician-research team is studying myeloid sarcoma, a form of AML that forms solid tumors outside the bone marrow, to develop new treatments for patients.
-
Diversifying acute leukemia trial enrollment through multilevel approach
Aiming to broaden participation in acute leukemia trials by testing a multi-layer plan that addresses barriers for adults with AML.
-
Blocking menin to treat acute leukemias with high HOX gene activity
This work develops new drugs that block a protein called menin to help people with certain aggressive acute leukemias driven by HOX gene activation.
-
Predicting methotrexate-related brain side effects in children with ALL
This project works to predict which children and teens with acute lymphoblastic leukemia will develop methotrexate-related neurotoxicity using clinical signs and biological data.
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.