HOTTIP RNA and genome organization in acute myeloid leukemia

Role of lncRNA mediated R-loops in CTCF boundary function and AML genome organization

NIH-funded research Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-11235176

This work looks at whether a noncoding RNA called HOTTIP changes DNA folding in acute myeloid leukemia cells in ways that help the cancer grow.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionPennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Hershey, United States)
Project IDNIH-11235176 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers will study how the long noncoding RNA HOTTIP interacts with DNA and the CTCF boundary protein in AML cells to change 3D genome organization. In the lab they will use patient-derived leukemia cells and molecular tools such as RNA-seq, ChIRP-seq, CTCF ChIP-seq, and CRISPR to map HOTTIP binding, detect R-loop structures, and modify HOTTIP or its target sites. The team will watch how these changes alter activity of leukemia-related genes (including HOXA and WNT/β-catenin targets) and behaviors of leukemia cells. This is laboratory-based research that may use human samples but is not a clinical treatment trial.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with acute myeloid leukemia—especially those whose leukemia has MLL rearrangements or NPM1 mutations—would be the most relevant for sample donation or future trials informed by this work.

Not a fit: Patients without AML or those with unrelated conditions are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory research in the near term.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could reveal new molecular mechanisms and targets that eventually lead to therapies that stop AML cells from maintaining their cancerous state.

How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies have shown that lncRNAs can reshape genome organization and influence gene programs, but moving these findings into patient therapies remains largely untested.

Where this research is happening

Hershey, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.