Targeting a specific protein to fight acute myeloid leukemia
Official title: Targeting Protein Arginine Methyltransferases to Eradicate Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Funded at Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · NIH-10997405 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help people with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by using a special treatment that targets a protein called PRMT9 to boost the immune system's fight against the leukemia cells, which could lead to better outcomes for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duarte, United States) |
| Project start | December 8, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $708,057 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA279595-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10997405 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia who have not responded well to existing treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of leukemia or those who are not diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving treatment outcomes for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by targeting protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs), particularly PRMT9. The approach involves inhibiting PRMT9 to activate the immune response against AML cells, which have been difficult to treat with existing therapies. By using a combination of a novel PRMT9 inhibitor and immune checkpoint inhibitors, the research aims to enhance the body's ability to eliminate leukemia cells. Patients may benefit from this innovative treatment strategy that seeks to overcome the limitations of current AML therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for acute myeloid leukemia, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in targeting immune pathways in leukemia, suggesting that this approach may be effective, although the specific targeting of PRMT9 is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
Duarte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Ling — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: Li, Ling
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
-
Interferon-γ plus donor immune cells to fight AML/MDS after partial donor transplant
This project tests a therapy that adds a signaling protein, IFN-γ, with donor immune cells to help treat relapsed AML/MDS after a haploidentical stem cell transplant.
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Targeting the protein housekeeping system in adult leukemia
Researchers are testing a new approach to treat acute myeloid leukemia by disrupting how AML cells manage their proteins, with the goal of helping patients live longer and healthier lives.
-
Understanding how epigenetic helper proteins drive AML and how to target them
A scientist team is studying how accessory proteins in gene-regulating complexes affect acute myeloid leukemia and whether they can be targeted for safer, more precise therapies.
-
Targeting FLVCR1-enabled choline use in a aggressive AML subtype
A new approach aims to block how a specific leukemia subtype (CG-AML) takes up choline to feed its growth, potentially slowing or stopping the disease.
-
Advancing CD70-targeted CAR-NK Therapy for AML
A patient-focused look at a new cell therapy that uses engineered NK cells to target AML by hitting CD70, aiming to reduce relapse with potentially fewer blood cell problems.
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.