How loss of miR-142 may drive chronic blood disorders into acute myeloid leukemia
The Role of miR-142 in the Transformation of Clonal Hematopoietic Disorders into AML
This project looks at whether loss or mutation of a small RNA called miR-142 causes chronic blood disorders to become aggressive acute myeloid leukemia, with the goal of finding new treatment targets for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duarte, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249624 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use laboratory experiments and animal models to see how losing or mutating miR-142 changes blood stem and progenitor cells and promotes conversion of chronic clonal disorders into AML. Mouse models include miR-142 knockouts combined with mutations seen in patients (for example FLT3-ITD) to mimic disease progression. The team measures shifts in cell metabolism, particularly increased oxidative phosphorylation, and compares those findings to human data showing MIR142 loss or downregulation in lymphoma and AML. The aim is to identify molecular pathways that could become targets for future drugs to prevent or treat secondary AML.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) or chronic-phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), especially those at risk of progression, are the patient groups most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers unrelated to blood or those already in late-stage AML seeking immediate treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic science work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new molecular targets to prevent or treat the dangerous transformation of chronic blood disorders into acute myeloid leukemia.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory and animal studies have linked miR-142 loss to disrupted blood development and its mutation or downregulation has been observed in human AML and lymphoma, but translating this into therapies remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Duarte, United States
- Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope — Duarte, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marcucci, Guido — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: Marcucci, Guido
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.