Investigating liver injury caused by a leukemia treatment drug
Official title: Mechanistic Study of PEG-asparaginase-Induced Liver Injury
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10938301 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into how a leukemia treatment called PEGylated asparaginase can sometimes harm the liver in adults, and it aims to find ways to make the treatment safer and more effective for those patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $396,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK140079-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10938301 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who may require treatment with PEG-ASNase.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or those who are not candidates for PEG-ASNase treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how PEGylated asparaginase (PEG-ASNase), a drug used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), can cause liver injury in adult patients. The study aims to identify the mechanisms behind this liver damage and explore strategies to reduce its occurrence. By using a murine model, researchers will examine the biochemical pathways involved in liver injury and test potential protective measures. The goal is to enhance the safety and effectiveness of PEG-ASNase for adult patients with ALL.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer treatment options for adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, allowing them to benefit from PEG-ASNase without the risk of liver injury.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding drug-induced liver injury can lead to improved treatment protocols, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fernandez, Christian Antonio — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Fernandez, Christian Antonio
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.