How a protein called RAB27B controls harmful NRAS signals in some leukemias
Novel Regulation of Oncogenic NRAS Signaling in Myeloid Malignancies
['FUNDING_R01'] · CHILDREN'S HOSP OF PHILADELPHIA · NIH-11303276
This project is looking at whether RAB27B controls harmful NRAS signaling that helps some forms of acute myeloid leukemia grow.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | CHILDREN'S HOSP OF PHILADELPHIA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11303276 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From my perspective, researchers will use human and mouse blood stem cells and leukemia cells in the lab to see how the RAB27B protein affects NRAS signaling and leukemia growth. They will change gene activity (including RAB27B, NRAS, and CBL) in cells and mouse models and measure NRAS GTPase activity, palmitoylation, stability, and downstream ERK signaling. The team will run biochemical assays, cell-growth and survival experiments, and animal studies to see whether removing or blocking RAB27B stops NRAS-driven leukemia. If those results are promising, the findings could point to new drug targets or biomarkers for future patient trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with acute myeloid leukemia—especially those whose cancers carry NRAS or CBL mutations—would be the most relevant candidates for future trials based on this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers do not depend on NRAS signaling, such as AML without NRAS or CBL mutations or non-myeloid cancers, are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify a new way to stop NRAS-driven acute myeloid leukemia and lead to targeted treatments for patients with those mutations.
How similar studies have performed: Many efforts to target RAS signaling have had mixed results, and the specific role of RAB27B in NRAS palmitoylation is a new finding that has not yet been tested in patients.
Where this research is happening
PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES
- CHILDREN'S HOSP OF PHILADELPHIA — PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: TONG, WEI — CHILDREN'S HOSP OF PHILADELPHIA
- Study coordinator: TONG, WEI
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.