Targeting stress granules in leukemia stem cells
Dissecting stress granule dependencies in leukemia stem cells
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · NIH-11123333
Seeing if blocking stress granules in leukemia stem cells can help people with acute myeloid leukemia avoid relapse.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11123333 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers at UC San Diego will use gene-editing (CRISPR) screens, molecular binding assays, and animal models to find the RNA-binding proteins that let leukemia stem cells survive by forming stress granules. They will test how disrupting those stress granules affects stem cell survival in lab-grown human cells and in vivo models, and will study patient-derived samples when available. The work focuses on AML, especially cases linked to RNA splicing mutations, to pinpoint vulnerabilities that drive treatment resistance. Results will be used to identify possible targets for new therapies aimed at the cells that cause relapse.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with acute myeloid leukemia, especially adults with relapsed or treatment-resistant disease or with RNA splicing–related mutations, are the likely focus for related future clinical work.
Not a fit: Patients who need immediate therapy, those with other cancer types, or those without AML-related molecular features are unlikely to benefit directly from this laboratory-focused grant.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that specifically kill leukemia stem cells and reduce relapse in AML patients.
How similar studies have performed: Early laboratory and genetic-screen studies have shown that leukemia stem cells depend on stress-granule biology, but translating this into therapies is still new and largely untested clinically.
Where this research is happening
LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO — LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: YEO, EUGENE WEI-MING — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- Study coordinator: YEO, EUGENE WEI-MING
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.