Specialized Program of Research Excellence in Leukemia
Official title: Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) in Leukemia
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11423670 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A dedicated program at Washington University aims to translate leukemia research into new biomarkers and treatments that could help people with leukemias and related disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 3, 2013 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,182,718 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA171963-13 |
| Project ID | NIH-11423670 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with various leukemias or MDS, including those eligible for cellular therapies or targeted treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without these specific leukemia subtypes or those not eligible for the proposed therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This NIH P50 grant brings together cancer genomics, immunology, and blood system biology to push leukemia research from the lab to clinical care. It funds multiple translational projects, including CAR-T therapy for T cell cancers, memory-like NK cell therapy for AML after transplant, and targeted therapies for splicing-factor mutations and TP53-mutated disease. The program also strengthens infrastructure to accelerate translational leukemia studies. The goal is to improve diagnosis, prognostication, and treatments for leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with leukemias or MDS could receive earlier access to new biomarker-guided therapies and innovative cellular treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work in leukemia genomics and immunotherapy has shown promise, and this program builds on that foundation with multiple translational projects.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Link, Daniel C — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Link, Daniel C
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Investigating a specific type of leukemia in children caused by genetic changes.
This study is looking at how certain proteins linked to leukemia affect kids and teens with high-risk blood cancers, and the researchers hope to find new ways to treat these conditions by learning more about how the disease works.
-
Caregiver-led mobile tool to support healthy habits for kids treated for ALL
A caregiver-directed mobile program helps children who were treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia build healthier daily routines.
-
Targeting the SCP4 pathway in acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
Aims to uncover how the SCP4 signaling pathway drives AML and how it could be blocked to help patients.
-
Understanding TCRs in Leukemia to Improve Immunotherapies
A short, patient-friendly look at a project trying to map how immune cells recognize leukemia so future therapies can be better and safer for people with AML.
-
Targeted therapy for AML using DHODH inhibitors to boost differentiation and immune response
Aims to help adults with acute myeloid leukemia by using a special drug approach that makes cancer cells act more like normal blood cells and supports the immune system.
-
Genomics of childhood ALL across global populations
A wide-ranging study looks at how inherited genetics influence the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia around the world.
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.