New Drug Combinations for Childhood Leukemia

Co-targeting BET Bromodomain Proteins and Aberrant Signaling in AML.

NIH-funded research University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11138431

This project looks for better drug combinations to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in children, adolescents, and young adults.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Francisco NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-11138431 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in children, adolescents, and young adults often has different genetic changes compared to adult AML, leading to poor cure rates. This project aims to find new ways to fight this type of leukemia by targeting two key pathways that drive its growth. Researchers will test promising drug combinations that block both abnormal gene activity and faulty cell signals. They will also work to understand why these drug combinations are effective and why some leukemia cells might become resistant, using models grown from patient samples.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research is relevant for children, adolescents, and young adults diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Not a fit: Patients with other types of leukemia or cancers not related to AML would not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more effective and less toxic treatments for children and young adults with acute myeloid leukemia.

How similar studies have performed: While individual targeted therapies have shown promise, this specific combination of targeting BET proteins and MEK signaling in pediatric AML, along with understanding resistance, represents a novel approach.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, 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.