Lowering cell aging to reduce age-related DNA changes in blood stem cells
The impact of reduction of cellular senescence on age-related epigenetic heterogeneity
['FUNDING_U01'] · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · NIH-10906373
Researchers aim to see whether reducing senescent (worn-out) cells can cut age-related DNA changes in blood stem cells that raise leukemia risk in older adults.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_U01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-10906373 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team will study how aging and specific mutations (like TET2 and FLT3ITD) change the chemical 'marks' on DNA in blood stem cells and make them more diverse and cancer-prone. They will use laboratory experiments and mouse models plus genomic and computational tools to track epigenetic and gene-expression differences over time. The work also looks at how an inflamed, aged bone marrow environment contributes and whether reducing senescent cells can blunt these harmful changes. Findings are meant to point toward ways to stop clonal hematopoiesis from turning into acute myeloid leukemia in older adults.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older adults (especially age 65+) with evidence of clonal hematopoiesis or with TET2-related mutations would be the most likely group to benefit from downstream treatments informed by this research.
Not a fit: Younger people, those without clonal hematopoiesis or TET2/FLT3-related changes, and patients with advanced AML are unlikely to see direct, immediate benefit from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent AML in older adults by targeting senescent cells or the age-related DNA changes that drive leukemic evolution.
How similar studies have performed: Targeting senescent cells and age-related epigenetic changes is an active research area with encouraging early animal data, but applying it specifically to prevent progression from clonal hematopoiesis to AML is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Los Angeles, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LI, SHENG — UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- Study coordinator: LI, SHENG
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.