How DNA and RNA editing changes may drive early blood cancer
Exploring the Impact of Base Deaminase Deregulation on Precancer Evolution
This project looks at whether overactive DNA- and RNA-editing enzymes help chronic blood disorders turn into acute myeloid leukemia using patient blood and bone marrow samples.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238470 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team is studying two editing enzymes (APOBEC3C for DNA and ADAR1 for RNA) to see how their deregulation might push myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) into secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML). Researchers will analyze blood and bone marrow samples from people with MPN and sAML to map editing patterns and link them to inflammation and cancer stem cell behavior. Laboratory tests will include sequencing of DNA and RNA edits and functional experiments to test how those edits affect cell growth and treatment resistance. The goal is to connect molecular changes seen in real patient samples to steps that drive progression to AML.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with myeloproliferative neoplasms (like polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, or myelofibrosis) or patients with secondary AML who can provide blood or bone marrow samples.
Not a fit: People without blood cancers or whose conditions are unrelated to MPN/AML are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal markers to predict who will progress to AML and suggest new targets to prevent or treat progression.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked APOBEC and ADAR enzymes to cancer, but applying detailed DNA/RNA editing analysis to patient samples in MPN-to-AML progression is a relatively new and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jamieson, Catriona Helen Macleod — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Jamieson, Catriona Helen Macleod
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.