NIH-funded research R21 grant

Targeting mitochondrial energy and lipid changes to treat relapsed AML

Official title: Therapeutic Targeting of Mitochondrial OxPhos and Lipid Remodeling in Relapsed AML

Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11440946 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A patient-focused study to see if blocking mitochondrial energy use and certain lipid processes can help people whose AML has come back or resisted treatment.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Texas at Austin
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Austin, United States)
Project startAugust 26, 2026
Project endJuly 31, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$429,471
NIH project number1R21CA318045-01
Project IDNIH-11440946 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates are adults with AML who have relapsed after frontline therapy or have resistant disease and have sufficient health to participate in laboratory studies and potential future trials.

Less likely to help

Patients whose AML does not depend on the targeted metabolic pathways or who cannot tolerate the proposed therapies may not benefit.

What this research studies

This project looks at how AML cells rely on mitochondria and lipid pathways after relapse and resistance. Researchers will test combinations that inhibit glutaminase and aldehyde dehydrogenase to disrupt the cancer cells’ energy, antioxidant defenses, and lipid building blocks. The work uses lab models and patient-derived data to understand how these metabolic changes affect treatment response and survival. If successful, the approach could guide new therapeutic options for relapsed AML patients.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If proven effective, this approach could lead to new treatments that improve responses and survival for people with relapsed AML.

How similar studies have gone: Prior studies suggest metabolic targeting can influence AML sensitivity to treatment and have shown promising preclinical synergy.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Texas at Austin
    Austin, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Tiziani, Stefano — University of Texas at Austin
  • Study coordinator: Tiziani, Stefano

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.