How leukemia cells and bone marrow support cells interact in AML

Crosstalk between leukemic blasts and the BM microenvironment contribute to leukemic transformation

NIH-funded research Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · NIH-11285469

This project looks at a protein called EGFL7 to understand how it helps acute myeloid leukemia grow and resist treatment for people with AML.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUtah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Salt Lake City, United States)
Project IDNIH-11285469 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you have AML, researchers would study your leukemia cells and bone marrow-support cells to see how EGFL7 is produced and how it changes cell behavior. They will use patient samples, lab-grown stromal and leukemia cells, recombinant EGFL7 protein, and mouse models to track effects on leukemia stem cells and disease progression. The team will compare EGFL7 levels in patient samples versus normal controls and test whether blocking EGFL7 changes leukemia cell growth or bone marrow support. Findings will guide whether EGFL7 could be a target for future therapies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, particularly those whose disease shows higher EGFL7 levels, would be the most relevant candidates for participation or sample donation.

Not a fit: Patients with other blood disorders unrelated to AML or whose leukemia does not involve EGFL7 are less likely to see direct benefit from this specific project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that block EGFL7 to slow AML growth, reduce resistance, or lower relapse risk.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked EGFL7 to cancer growth in some settings, but targeting EGFL7 in AML is relatively new and has limited clinical evidence so far.

Where this research is happening

Salt Lake City, 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.
Conditions Blood DiseasesBone Diseases
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.