Understanding RUNX1-related preleukemia in teens and how to stop it
Official title: Inflammation-Driven Clonal Evolution in RUNX1 Carriers: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Vulnerabilities
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11463923 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at why some teens with RUNX1 gene changes are at higher risk for leukemia and how we might prevent it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2021 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $610,540 |
| NIH project number | 2R01HL155426-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11463923 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Teens around age 16 with RUNX1-related familial platelet disorder or related clonal hematopoiesis profiles.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without RUNX1 mutations or those not showing clonal hematopoiesis may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
The project focuses on teens around age 16 who have RUNX1-related blood disorders and explores how clonal blood cell growth happens. It uses advanced 3D cell culture models to study bone marrow environments and test potential ways to interrupt harmful signaling that promotes clonal expansion. The goal is to identify early warning markers and therapeutic targets that could prevent progression to leukemia. The study builds on findings that a specific protein pathway (MIF/CD74) may be driving dangerous changes in blood cells and seeks to block it.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to early interventions that prevent leukemia in RUNX1-related disease.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have linked RUNX1 and clonal hematopoiesis to leukemia risk, with promising signals for early intervention in preclinical models.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Agarwal, Anupriya — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Agarwal, Anupriya
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.