How cell 'recycling centers' and powerhouses affect leukemia stem cells
Lysosomes and their Communications with Mitochondria in Leukemic Stem Cell Disease Progression
Researchers are exploring whether differences in cell recycling centers (lysosomes) and energy centers (mitochondria) in leukemia stem cells can help guide treatments for adults with acute myeloid leukemia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11164758 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks inside leukemia stem cells at lysosomes and mitochondria, comparing patterns in patient blood or bone marrow samples and in mouse models. The team separates quiet, therapy-resistant stem cells and measures lysosomal activity and mitochondrial damage to understand how they interact. They will test whether these features let them isolate or alter leukemic stem cells that survive treatment. Results could point to new ways to mark or target the cells that drive relapse.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) with acute myeloid leukemia who can provide blood or bone marrow samples, including patients with relapsed disease, would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without AML, children under 21, or patients who cannot provide samples are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal ways to find and eliminate the hidden, treatment-resistant leukemia stem cells that often cause relapse.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory studies in mice and early analyses of human samples have shown lysosomal and mitochondrial differences affect stem cell quiescence, but translating these findings into AML treatments is still largely new.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ghaffari, Saghi — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Ghaffari, Saghi
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.