How aging changes in bone marrow affect acute myeloid leukemia

Impact of the senescent bone marrow microenvironment in AML biology

NIH-funded research Temple Univ of the Commonwealth · NIH-11264870

This work looks at whether aging-related changes in the bone marrow help leukemia grow in older adults with AML.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionTemple Univ of the Commonwealth NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project IDNIH-11264870 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This project examines bone marrow support cells (called mesenchymal stromal cells) from people with AML to see how aging and cellular senescence alter the marrow environment. Researchers will compare molecular and epigenetic signs of aging in cells from older versus younger patients and use laboratory models to test how those changes influence leukemia cell behavior. The team will also test ways to reverse or block the aging features in the marrow that appear to support leukemia growth. The goal is to find targets that could make the bone marrow less supportive of AML and guide development of new treatments.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults with acute myeloid leukemia, particularly older adults (for example those over about 55 or around the typical median age of 70), are the most relevant group for this research.

Not a fit: People without AML or whose disease is driven solely by genetic factors unrelated to the bone marrow environment may not receive direct benefit from this work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal new targets to make the bone marrow less friendly to leukemia and improve outcomes for older AML patients.

How similar studies have performed: Preclinical research suggests the marrow environment and senescent cells can influence AML and that targeting senescence shows promise in lab models, but clinical benefit in patients has not yet been proven.

Where this research is happening

Philadelphia, 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 2026-06-09 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.