How fat tissue affects the aggressiveness of acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Adipose Tissue Reprograms Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells to Facilitate CNS and Bone Invasion
This study is looking at how body fat might make acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) tougher to treat and spread more easily, and it’s testing a current treatment to see if it can help ALL patients who also have obesity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11064040 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of adipose tissue in making acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) more aggressive and harder to treat. It explores how fat tissue influences the expression of a protein called RANKL in leukemia cells, which may lead to increased invasion into the central nervous system and bones. The study involves experiments in mouse models and clinical samples to understand the mechanisms at play and tests an existing FDA-approved treatment to see if it can improve outcomes for ALL patients. By understanding these interactions, the research aims to identify new strategies for managing ALL in patients with obesity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include children and adults diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, especially those who are also dealing with obesity.
Not a fit: Patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who are not obese or do not have significant adipose tissue may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, particularly those affected by obesity.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the relationship between obesity and cancer aggressiveness, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mittelman, Steven David — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Mittelman, Steven David
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.