Understanding METTL3 in Aggressive Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Official title: Define the oncogenic role of METTL3 in the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Funded at Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · NIH-11127460 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how a protein called METTL3 contributes to aggressive forms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) to find new ways to help patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duarte, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $648,241 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA282450-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11127460 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research focuses on understanding aggressive chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which could eventually benefit patients diagnosed with this specific type of blood cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without chronic lymphocytic leukemia or those with less aggressive forms of the disease may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
What this research studies
Aggressive chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) can be very difficult to treat, even with current therapies. Our team has found that a protein called METTL3 might play a key role in making CLL more aggressive by affecting how RNA works in cancer cells. We believe that by understanding how METTL3 drives CLL, we can develop new treatments. This work will help us learn more about this protein's role and explore potential new medicines that target it.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to the development of new, more effective treatments for patients with aggressive chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promising results with drugs that target METTL3 in different blood cancers, suggesting this approach has potential.
Where this research is happening
-
Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
Duarte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Lili — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: Wang, Lili
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Tracing how chronic lymphocytic leukemia can change into Richter’s syndrome
A physician-scientist is studying why CLL sometimes changes into Richter’s syndrome and how this transition happens at the genetic level, with the goal of better outcomes for people living with CLL.
-
Paradigm shift in managing untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia in older adults
A Mayo Clinic doctor is leading a national collaboration to advance new frontline treatments for older adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
-
AVO: a new triplet therapy for untreated high-risk CLL
A new, time-limited combination therapy (acalabrutinib, venetoclax, and obinutuzumab) is being tested for people with newly diagnosed high-risk CLL to see how well it works and how safe it is.
-
Rewiring cancer pathways to trigger death in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
A Stanford-led study aims to use a new class of small molecules to flip cancer-driving signals so CLL cells die, offering hope for patients who have exhausted other therapies.
-
METTL3's role in driving a stubborn form of chronic lymphocytic leukemia
A cancer-related study looks at how METTL3 helps a common leukemia (CLL) grow and resist treatment, with the goal of finding better therapies.
-
Understanding why BTK inhibitors stop working in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Researchers are studying why some people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia stop benefiting from BTK inhibitors and how to overcome that resistance.
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.