How the MLL1 (KMT2A) protein helps cancer cells grow
Non-canonical function of transcription cofactor MLL1 in cancer
Researchers are looking at how changes in the MLL1 protein affect liver and other cancers to find better targets for future treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11257318 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at the MLL1 protein, a molecule known to change gene activity, to understand how it helps cancer cells grow and survive. The team will study both MLL1's usual role in modifying chromatin and its other, non‑canonical activities that may drive tumor behavior. Work will use lab-grown cancer cells, molecular experiments, and preclinical models to trace how MLL1 changes affect cell division and tumor growth. The group is focusing on hepatocellular carcinoma to see whether blocking MLL1-related pathways could slow tumors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with hepatocellular carcinoma or tumors that show MLL1 amplification, overexpression, or related changes would be the most likely candidates to benefit from follow-up clinical work.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers do not involve MLL1 changes or who have unrelated tumor types may not benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could reveal new drug targets that might lead to treatments that slow or stop liver and other cancers driven by MLL1.
How similar studies have performed: MLL1 alterations are well known in leukemias and have been linked to cancer growth, but the non‑canonical roles in liver cancer are relatively new and not yet proven as clinical targets.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dou, Yali — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Dou, Yali
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.