How the bone marrow environment helps AML resist treatment

Trajectory and Architecture of Microenvironment-Mediated Resistance in AML

NIH-funded research Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11406045

This project looks at how cells and signals in the bone marrow help leukemia cells survive treatment in people with acute myeloid leukemia.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionOregon Health & Science University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Portland, United States)
Project IDNIH-11406045 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers will analyze primary AML patient samples and the surrounding bone marrow cells to map signals and cell types that promote drug resistance. They will use genomic and secreted-factor (proteins/cytokines) profiling, including ATAC-seq and other omics, to identify pathways linked to relapse. Functional laboratory models will test how changing the bone marrow niche affects leukemia cell survival and response to therapy. The goal is to find targets or strategies to prevent residual cells from causing relapse.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with acute myeloid leukemia—including newly diagnosed patients, those in remission with detectable residual disease, or those who have relapsed—would be the most relevant candidates.

Not a fit: People without AML, or those unable or unwilling to provide bone marrow or blood samples, would not directly benefit from or participate in this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to block resistance and lower the risk of AML relapse after treatment.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown the bone marrow niche can drive therapy resistance, but combining large-scale patient omics with functional niche reprogramming is a relatively new, integrative approach.

Where this research is happening

Portland, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.