Understanding how fat metabolism affects leukemia stem cells in children

Metabolic regulation of oxidative phosphorylation in pediatric AML relapse

NIH-funded research Duke University · NIH-10950387

This study is looking at how fats in our diet might help leukemia stem cells grow and survive, which could be important for understanding why acute myeloid leukemia (AML) can come back in children, and it involves testing in the lab and with animal models to see how a high-fat diet affects these cancer cells.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDuke University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project IDNIH-10950387 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of lipid metabolism in supporting energy production in leukemia stem cells, which are crucial for the relapse of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in children. By analyzing genetic data from pediatric AML patients, the study aims to uncover how fatty acids contribute to the growth and survival of these cancer cells. The researchers will conduct experiments both in the lab using leukemia cell lines and in animal models derived from pediatric patients to explore the effects of a high-fat diet on leukemia progression and energy metabolism.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, particularly those who have experienced relapse.

Not a fit: Patients with other types of leukemia or those who are not currently undergoing treatment for AML may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment strategies that specifically target leukemia stem cells, potentially reducing relapse rates in pediatric AML patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting metabolic pathways in cancer, suggesting that this approach may yield significant insights and advancements.

Where this research is happening

Durham, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Conditions Candidate Disease Gene
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.