Targeting how leukemia stem cells make proteins
Regulation of Protein Synthesis in Leukemia Stem Cells
['FUNDING_R37'] · UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER · NIH-11166574
This project tries blocking protein production in leukemia stem cells to help people with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R37'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (DALLAS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11166574 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers want to learn whether the rare leukemia stem cells that drive relapse depend on tightly controlled protein-making processes. They will compare LSCs from different genetic types of AML, including high-risk cases that act like normal blood stem cells, and study the role of the cell-surface marker CD99. The team will test a new approach to inhibit protein synthesis in lab models and patient-derived samples to see if that weakens or kills LSCs. Although mainly preclinical, the findings could point to treatments aimed at removing the root cells that cause relapse.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with acute myeloid leukemia—especially those with high-risk or HSC-like AML genotypes or tumors that overexpress CD99—would be the most relevant candidates for future therapies from this work.
Not a fit: Patients without AML or with AML types not driven by LSCs dependent on regulated protein synthesis (or without CD99 expression) may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that eliminate leukemia stem cells and lower the risk of AML relapse.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies link CD99 and protein synthesis to LSC function, but therapeutic approaches targeting this mechanism are novel and have not yet shown clinical success.
Where this research is happening
DALLAS, UNITED STATES
- UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER — DALLAS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: CHUNG, STEPHEN SHIU-WAH — UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER
- Study coordinator: CHUNG, STEPHEN SHIU-WAH
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.