Investigating how oncoproteins affect cell behavior in acute leukemia
Official title: Oncoprotein-regulated lineage plasticity in acute leukemia
Funded at Van Andel Research Institute · NIH-11076739 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain proteins linked to the KMT2A gene affect leukemia cells, helping us understand why some cells change and might resist treatment, with the goal of finding better therapies for patients with tough-to-treat leukemia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Van Andel Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Grand Rapids, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $192,240 |
| NIH project number | 5K22CA272912-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11076739 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with high-risk acute leukemia, particularly those with KMT2A rearrangements.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with low-risk acute leukemia or those whose leukemia does not involve KMT2A rearrangements may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how specific oncoproteins, particularly those related to the KMT2A gene, influence the behavior of leukemia cells. By examining chromatin changes in single cells, the study aims to uncover how these proteins can cause leukemia cells to switch from one type to another, potentially evading treatment. The research utilizes advanced techniques like single-cell combinatorial indexing CUT&Tag to analyze thousands of cells, providing insights into the regulatory mechanisms at play in acute leukemia. This could lead to better-targeted therapies for patients with high-risk leukemia subtypes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for patients with acute leukemia by targeting the mechanisms that allow cancer cells to evade current therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding lineage plasticity in leukemia, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Van Andel Research Institute
Grand Rapids, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Janssens, Derek Henry — Van Andel Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Janssens, Derek Henry
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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.