NIH-funded research Career grant

Understanding how certain leukemia cells resist treatment

Official title: Elucidating Critical Dependencies Underlying Therapeutic Evasion in Philadelphia Chromosome-like Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10995045 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at a tough type of leukemia called Ph-like ALL in kids, and it aims to understand how these cancer cells avoid treatment so that we can create better, more targeted therapies to help them.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project startJanuary 5, 2024
Project endDecember 31, 2027
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$184,541
NIH project number5K08CA273531-03
Project IDNIH-10995045 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are children and adolescents diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome-like acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Less likely to help

Patients with other types of leukemia or those who are not within the pediatric age range may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on Philadelphia chromosome-like acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph-like ALL), a type of leukemia that is particularly challenging to treat. The project aims to uncover the critical biological dependencies that allow these cancer cells to evade therapies. By utilizing advanced techniques in genomics and bioinformatics, the research will explore how these cells function and respond to treatment, with the goal of developing more effective precision medicine therapies for affected children. The research will be conducted under the guidance of experienced mentors and will involve collaboration with a team of renowned scientists.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options and better outcomes for children suffering from difficult-to-treat leukemias.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting similar pathways in leukemia, indicating that this approach could yield significant advancements.

Where this research is happening

  • Johns Hopkins University
    Baltimore, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Ding, Yang-Yang — Johns Hopkins University
  • Study coordinator: Ding, Yang-Yang

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Caregiver-led mobile tool to support healthy habits for kids treated for ALL

    A caregiver-directed mobile program helps children who were treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia build healthier daily routines.

    NIH research University of Minnesota · Minneapolis, United States · NIH-11630804

  • Genomics of childhood ALL across global populations

    A wide-ranging study looks at how inherited genetics influence the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia around the world.

    NIH research University of Minnesota · Minneapolis, United States · NIH-11608541

  • Genomics of childhood ALL across diverse populations

    A large international study will look at why children everywhere get acute lymphoblastic leukemia and how genetics may influence risk.

    NIH research University of Minnesota · Minneapolis, United States · NIH-11608540

  • Combinatorial targeting for high-risk B-cell ALL treatment

    A research effort at West Virginia University is exploring a combination therapy for adult B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia using targeted gene silencing and a small-molecule compound to improve treatment in patients.

    NIH research West Virginia University · Morgantown, United States · NIH-11579281

  • Understanding why Latino children have a higher risk of childhood ALL

    This project looks at why Latino children are more likely to develop acute lymphoblastic leukemia and whether genetic ancestry plays a role, with the goal of improving prevention and outcomes.

    NIH research Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · Duarte, United States · NIH-11520852

  • Targeting obesity to improve survival for children with ALL

    A new approach explores whether reducing obesity-related factors can make chemotherapy work better for kids with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

    NIH research Children's Hospital of Los Angeles · Los Angeles, United States · NIH-11474567

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.