How a molecular signaling loop (HOTTIP–β‑catenin–HOXA9–PRMT1) controls normal and leukemia blood stem cells
Official title: Role of HOTTIP/beta-catenin-HOXA9/PRMT1 axis in hematopoietic and leukemic stem cells
Funded at Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-11400623 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Looking at whether blocking a chain of molecules (HOTTIP–β‑catenin–HOXA9–PRMT1) can stop the leukemia stem cells that keep adult acute myeloid leukemia going.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $202,540 |
| NIH project number | 3R01CA264932-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11400623 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with acute myeloid leukemia, especially those whose disease is driven by leukemia stem cells, would be the most relevant group for eventual therapies stemming from this work.
✕Less likely to help
People without AML (including other cancers, non‑hematologic diseases, or children) are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific project.
What this research studies
This project studies a group of molecules (a long noncoding RNA called HOTTIP, β‑catenin, HOXA9, and PRMT1) that appear to control self‑renewal in normal blood stem cells and in leukemia stem cells that drive AML. The team will use molecular and cellular experiments, model systems, and analysis of leukemia samples to map how these factors interact. By clarifying the signaling steps that let leukemia stem cells survive and renew, they aim to identify points where new therapies could block those cells. The work is focused on adult AML and is based at Penn State Hershey.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new molecular targets to eliminate leukemia stem cells and lead to better treatments for adult acute myeloid leukemia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has linked β‑catenin and HOXA9 to AML but directly targeting these factors has been difficult, so combining the lncRNA HOTTIP and PRMT1 angle is a relatively new and promising mechanistic approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
Hershey, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huang, Suming — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Huang, Suming
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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.