Understanding leukemia stem cells in acute myeloid leukemia

Functional Interrogation of Human Acute Myeloid Leukemia Stem Cells

NIH-funded research Stanford University · NIH-11239010

Researchers will use gene-editing tools on adult AML cells to learn how leukemia stem cells start and keep the disease so future treatments can target them.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionStanford University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Stanford, United States)
Project IDNIH-11239010 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

The team will work with leukemia cells taken from adult AML patients and with lab-grown AML-like stem cells made from patient samples. They will use CRISPR/Cas9 and viral DNA-repair methods to change or correct specific mutations in those cells. Edited cells will be tested in lab models and in mice to see how those changes affect the number and behavior of leukemia stem cells and the ability to start or sustain disease. The work aims to identify which mutations control stem cell activity so scientists can develop ways to remove the cells that drive relapse.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults with acute myeloid leukemia who can provide blood or bone marrow samples, or whose stored samples are available, are the likely candidates to contribute to this work.

Not a fit: People without AML or those seeking immediate changes to their current treatment should not expect direct clinical benefit from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could reveal specific targets to eliminate leukemia stem cells and lower the risk of relapse in AML patients.

How similar studies have performed: Prior lab studies have shown CRISPR editing and AML-derived iPSCs can model leukemia, but translating those findings into patient-ready therapies remains early and experimental.

Where this research is happening

Stanford, 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.
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.