Leukemia clinical trials leadership at Washington University

Clinician Scientist in Leukemia

NIH-funded research Washington University · NIH-11177896

This work supports better clinical trials for people with leukemia—especially older adults with acute myeloid leukemia—by testing combinations of targeted drugs and ways to predict who will tolerate treatment.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWashington University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Saint Louis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11177896 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This award supports a clinician-scientist who helps run and improve leukemia clinical trials at Washington University / Siteman Cancer Center. The project focuses on expanding trial capabilities, streamlining trial operations, and keeping studies compliant so trials run safely and efficiently. In older adults with AML, the program will test combinations of targeted therapies with hypomethylating agents and venetoclax and will check whether flow-cytometry tests for measurable residual disease predict outcomes. A companion geriatric assessment will be used across studies to identify measures that predict which patients are likely to tolerate and benefit from treatment.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with acute myeloid leukemia—particularly older adults—who are eligible and willing to enroll in clinical trials at Washington University or participating Alliance sites.

Not a fit: People without AML, pediatric patients, or those who do not meet trial eligibility criteria (for example due to comorbidities or poor organ function) are unlikely to benefit directly from these trials.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could increase remission rates, improve treatment decisions for older adults with AML, and make MRD and geriatric tools more useful in routine care.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that venetoclax plus hypomethylating agents can improve remission rates in older AML patients, but combining additional targeted drugs and validating MRD and geriatric assessment tools is still being actively studied.

Where this research is happening

Saint Louis, 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.
Conditions Cancer CenterCancersDetectable Residual DiseaseDisease remission
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.