Raising a cancer‑killing lipid to help treat acute myeloid leukemia
Project 1
Researchers are combining tiny particles that raise levels of a cell‑killing fat called ceramide with drugs that block ceramide breakdown to try to kill leukemia cells in adults with acute myeloid leukemia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11198386 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project works on ways to boost ceramide, a natural fat that can trigger cancer cell death, using ceramide‑filled nanoliposomes and drugs that block the enzyme ceramide kinase. The team tests these combinations with current AML drugs like venetoclax in lab cell models and animal experiments to see if they kill leukemia cells and prevent regrowth. Early lab results show stronger leukemia cell killing and reduced clonogenic survival with little effect on normal cells. The goal is to turn these promising lab findings into treatments that could be tested in people in future clinical trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with acute myeloid leukemia, particularly those with relapsed or refractory disease or who have limited benefit from current therapies, would be the most likely candidates for related future trials.
Not a fit: Children, people without AML, and patients judged medically ineligible for future clinical trials (for example because of severe organ dysfunction) would not directly benefit from this preclinical work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make existing AML treatments work better and reduce relapses by more effectively killing leukemia cells.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies from this team and others have shown that increasing ceramide can kill AML cells and work alongside drugs like venetoclax, but this approach has not yet been proven effective in human clinical trials.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chalfant, Charles E. — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Chalfant, Charles E.
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.