Targeting the cancer-friendly environment around blood stem cells in AML
Official title: Targeting Microenvironmental Signals in Myeloid Malignancies
Funded at University of Rochester · NIH-11473222 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how the bone marrow surroundings influence acute myeloid leukemia and whether changing those signals could help people with AML.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $44,481 |
| NIH project number | 3R01CA266617-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11473222 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with acute myeloid leukemia or related myeloid malignancies who could benefit from therapies targeting the bone marrow niche.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose disease is not driven by niche interactions or who are not eligible for niche-targeted strategies.
What this research studies
This project looks at how leukemia cells interact with their bone marrow niche and whether disrupting those interactions can slow disease and improve treatment responses. It builds on prior findings that AML cells rely on endothelial cells and osteoprogenitors in the marrow to survive therapy. The study uses laboratory models with human-like stem cell and niche interactions to identify signals that support leukemic growth and resistance. If successful, the work could point to new ways to target the microenvironment in addition to directly targeting leukemia cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new strategies that weaken leukemia support from the bone marrow, potentially improving response to treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that niche interactions can support leukemic cells, and disrupting them has shown promise in models, with ongoing exploration in AML.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bajaj, Jeevisha — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Bajaj, Jeevisha
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.