Understanding how ENL and AF9 drive leukemia to guide better therapies
Official title: Understanding the oncogenic functions of ENL and AF9 for better leukemia therapies
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11426863 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how specific cancer proteins (ENL and AF9) contribute to AML and ALL to help develop targeted leukemia treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | September 3, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $622,070 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA315895-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11426863 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who have leukemias driven by MLL translocations and related epigenetic dysregulation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with leukemia not involving MLL translocations or those whose disease is driven by non-epigenetic mechanisms may not benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
Researchers will look at how ENL and AF9 proteins interact with chromatin and partner complexes in leukemia cells, aiming to pinpoint the parts of these proteins that drive cancer growth. The work involves biochemical analyses of protein domains and their binding to other molecules, plus how these interactions affect gene expression in leukemia. Findings could reveal new targets for therapies that specifically disrupt these cancer-causing interactions. The project builds on existing knowledge of MLL-related leukemias to translate molecular insights into potential treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new targets for drugs that selectively block leukemia-driving functions of ENL and AF9, potentially improving outcomes for AML and ALL patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that specific domains in ENL and AF9 influence oncogenic activity, supporting the potential for targeted interventions, though this area remains challenging and exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Muntean, Andrew George — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Muntean, Andrew George
Related research
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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.