How aging changes blood-forming stem cells and the bone marrow to promote AML
Aging-related hematopoietic stem cell intrinsic and microenvironmental signals in AML transformation
This project studies how age-related changes in blood stem cells and the bone marrow environment help pre-leukemia cells grow into acute myeloid leukemia in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11181640 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers will use blood and bone marrow samples from people with age-related clonal hematopoiesis, MDS, MPN, and AML alongside mouse models to explore why leukemia develops more often with age. They will apply cutting-edge genetic tools and single-cell technologies to compare mutations and gene activity in individual stem and progenitor cells. The team will also examine inflammatory and stromal signals in the aging marrow niche that may encourage mutated cells to expand. Together these approaches aim to link mutation changes with microenvironmental pressures that drive AML transformation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be older adults with pre-leukemic conditions such as clonal hematopoiesis (ARCH/CHIP), myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), or newly diagnosed AML who can provide blood or bone marrow samples.
Not a fit: People without blood disorders, younger healthy volunteers, or those unwilling to provide samples are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal biomarkers or targets to detect or prevent progression from pre-AML conditions to full-blown AML in older adults.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have shown age-related clonal hematopoiesis raises AML risk, but combining single-cell genetics with detailed niche analysis is relatively new and still emerging.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kousteni, Stavroula — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Kousteni, Stavroula
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.