Targeting the enzyme pyruvate kinase in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
The role of pyruvate kinase as a therapeutic target in T-ALL
Seeing if blocking the enzyme pyruvate kinase can help treat T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children and adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11245724 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are exploring whether drugs that block pyruvate kinase, an enzyme cancer cells use for energy, can slow or kill T-ALL cells. They will study the two main enzyme forms (PKM1 and PKM2), test inhibitors alone and combined with NOTCH1 pathway blockers (GSIs) in lab-grown cells and animal models, and compare results with human leukemia samples. The team will measure effects on leukemia growth and normal cells and look for combinations that produce stronger anti-leukemia responses. Findings are intended to inform possible early-stage clinical trials for patients with relapsed or treatment-resistant T-ALL.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, especially those whose disease has relapsed or is resistant to standard treatment (and potentially those with NOTCH1-related disease), would be most relevant.
Not a fit: Patients with other leukemia types (for example B-ALL), unrelated cancers, or T-ALL patients doing well on standard therapy are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this preclinical-focused work right now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new targeted drug combinations that better control or eliminate relapsed or resistant T-ALL.
How similar studies have performed: NOTCH1 inhibitors (GSIs) have been tested in clinical trials with limited single-agent success and metabolic targeting showed promising lab results, but combining pyruvate kinase inhibition with GSIs is a newer, largely preclinical approach.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences — Newark, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Herranz, Daniel — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Herranz, Daniel
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.