Identifying cancer treatments that trigger cell death in tumors

Reading mitochondrial apoptotic signaling to identify active cancer therapeutics

NIH-funded research Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-10871904

This study is looking for new ways to help people with certain types of blood cancers, like acute myeloid leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, by finding treatments that can specifically trigger cancer cells to die while leaving healthy cells alone.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10871904 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on discovering new cancer therapies that can selectively induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in cancer cells. The approach involves using a technique called BH3 profiling, which assesses how sensitive cancer cells are to treatments that mimic certain proteins known to promote cell death. By analyzing the response of cancer cells to these treatments, researchers aim to identify effective therapies for conditions like acute myeloid leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The ultimate goal is to improve patient outcomes by developing targeted treatments that can lead to remission.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia or chronic lymphocytic leukemia who are seeking new treatment options.

Not a fit: Patients with solid tumors or those not diagnosed with the specified types of leukemia may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and targeted cancer therapies that improve survival rates for patients with specific types of leukemia.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research using BH3 profiling has shown success in identifying effective treatments for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, indicating a promising approach for similar conditions.

Where this research is happening

Boston, 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.