Targeting metabolic weak spots in myelodysplastic syndrome stem cells
Official title: Metabolic targeting of heterogenous myelodysplastic syndrome stem cells
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11188998 · Data updated 2026-11-12
The team is trying metabolism-based treatments to kill the stem cells that drive high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $423,743 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA286717-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11188998 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with high-risk MDS, particularly those enrolled in or eligible for clinical trials combining azacitidine with agents like omacetaxine.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with low-risk MDS or unrelated blood disorders are unlikely to directly benefit from this project at this time.
What this research studies
This project looks for metabolic weak points in the different kinds of MDS stem cells that keep the disease coming back. Researchers combine laboratory experiments with samples and data from an active clinical trial testing omacetaxine plus azacitidine (NCT03564873) to find which stem cell subsets survive current treatment. The goal is to map vulnerabilities in those resistant subsets and design next-generation approaches that are more precise and less toxic than global protein-translation blockers. If successful, the work aims to guide therapies that better eliminate the root cells that cause relapse.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that more completely eliminate the MDS stem cells and reduce relapses.
How similar studies have gone: An ongoing trial combining omacetaxine and azacitidine has produced promising responses but still shows some disease progression, so this project builds on those results to target remaining stem cell subsets.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pietras, Eric M — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Pietras, Eric M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Targeting diverse stem cells in myelodysplastic syndrome to eradicate the disease
Aimed at identifying weaknesses in the diverse stem cell populations of myelodysplastic syndrome so future treatments can wipe out the root cause of the disease.
-
New treatment approach for myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia
This project aims to develop a new antibody-based therapy to help people with MDS or AML, especially older or frail patients who cannot tolerate high-dose chemotherapy.
-
Investigating the role of PI3 kinase in Myelodysplastic Syndrome
This study is looking at how certain changes in genes might affect blood cell production in older adults with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), and it hopes to find new ways to help improve treatment for people with this condition.
-
Identifying harmful and harmless genetic variations in blood cancer predisposition genes
This study is looking at how certain changes in a gene called DDX41 might affect the chances of developing blood disorders like myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), so that doctors can provide better advice and support for patients at risk.
-
Investigating CCRL2's role in myelodysplastic syndrome
This study is looking at how a specific gene called CCRL2 affects the growth of harmful cells in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), especially in men, to find new ways to improve treatment for people with this blood disorder.
-
Understanding how immune evasion occurs in high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome
This study is looking at how a protein called VISTA helps high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (HR-MDS) avoid being attacked by the immune system, with the goal of finding new ways to improve treatments for patients like you.
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.