Tracking leukemia's changing gene states to guide personalized treatment
State-transition and leukemia potential dynamics to inform disease evolution and adaptive therapy
Looks at whether tracking changes in leukemia cells' gene activity over time can help tailor treatments for people with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duarte, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11195001 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will map how leukemia cells move through different molecular states by following gene activity patterns over time and defining a 'leukemia potential' that signals progression. They built this approach using time-sequenced RNA sequencing in a mouse model of an AML subtype (inv(16)/CBFB-MYH11) and plan to extend the method toward human-relevant data. The team will pair these state-transition maps with adaptive therapy ideas and test a microRNA-126 inhibitor (miRisten) that targets treatment-resistant leukemia stem cells. The goal is to use the maps to time and change treatments before resistance and relapse occur.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with acute myeloid leukemia—especially those with treatment-resistant disease or the inv(16)/CBFB-MYH11 subtype—would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without AML or whose leukemia lacks the specific molecular features studied may not benefit from findings of this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could enable more personalized, adaptive treatment plans that target resistant leukemia stem cells and reduce relapse risk.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical work in mice has shown the state-transition model can predict disease shifts and miRisten can target resistant stem cells, but translating these approaches to patients is largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Duarte, United States
- Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope — Duarte, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rockne, Russell Christian — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: Rockne, Russell Christian
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.