How a signaling pathway helps T‑cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia spread to the brain and spinal cord
Role of CXCR3-CXCL10 signaling in T-ALL CNS disease
This project explores whether a signaling pathway called CXCR3–CXCL10 helps T‑cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells move into the brain and spinal cord in children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11309649 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will examine leukemia cells and the meningeal (brain/spinal cord lining) environment to see how CXCR3 on cancer cells and CXCL10 from meningeal cells interact. They will use lab-grown leukemia cells, 3D tissue models and animal models, and analyze patient-derived samples when available to track cell movement and signaling. The team will test whether blocking CXCR3–CXCL10 signaling reduces leukemia cell migration to the meninges. Findings are intended to reveal the mechanism behind CNS relapse risk in pediatric T‑ALL and point to ways to interrupt it.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children with T‑cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, especially those with evidence of CNS involvement or high CXCR3 expression, would be the most relevant candidates for related sample donation or future trials.
Not a fit: Patients with other leukemia types (for example B‑cell ALL) or whose disease does not involve CXCR3 signaling are less likely to benefit directly from findings focused on the CXCR3–CXCL10 axis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to treatments that block leukemia cells from entering the brain and spinal cord and reduce CNS relapse in children with T‑ALL.
How similar studies have performed: Blocking chemokine signaling has shown promise in inflammatory conditions and some preclinical leukemia models, but targeting CXCR3–CXCL10 specifically to prevent T‑ALL CNS spread is relatively new and mainly at the preclinical stage.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Matlawska-Wasowska, Ksenia — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Matlawska-Wasowska, Ksenia
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.