How immune signaling changes help early blood cells turn into leukemia
Dissecting innate immune signaling in pre-leukemia evolution
This work looks at how losing a protein called TRAF6 makes pre-leukemia blood stem cells more likely to become acute myeloid leukemia in people with clonal hematopoiesis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11296907 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers combine genetic screens in living models with laboratory studies to find which molecular changes let pre-leukemia blood stem cells progress to full leukemia. They compare those findings to patterns seen in patient samples and analyze how loss of TRAF6 alters a key cancer regulator called MYC. The team uses mouse models, in vivo shRNA screening, molecular assays, and data from human myeloid malignancy samples to trace the steps from clonal hematopoiesis to aggressive disease. Their goal is to map the cellular and molecular chain of events that could be targeted to stop progression.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with clonal hematopoiesis, known mutations linked to pre-leukemic states (for example TET2), or those willing to donate blood or bone marrow samples for research.
Not a fit: People without clonal hematopoiesis or with cancers unrelated to myeloid blood disorders are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal new molecular targets or strategies to prevent or treat certain forms of acute myeloid leukemia.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked altered TRAF6 expression to subsets of AML and early data support its role, but the specific MYC-related mechanism and the in vivo genetic-screen approach are novel.
Where this research is happening
Cincinnati, United States
- Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr — Cincinnati, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Starczynowski, Daniel — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Starczynowski, Daniel
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.