Understanding Selenium's Role in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
THE ROLE OF SELENOPROTEIN SYNTHESIS PATHWAY IN ACUTE MYELOID LEUKEMIA
This research explores how selenium, a nutrient, affects the survival of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells, hoping to find new ways to treat this blood cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11124851 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a serious blood cancer, especially for older adults, with current treatments often not leading to long-term survival. Our team discovered that how AML cells use selenium, a vital nutrient, might be key to their survival. We believe that by understanding and potentially disrupting this process, we could develop new therapies. This work uses advanced genetic tools and models, including those derived from human AML patient cells, to uncover how AML relies on selenium and if targeting this process could be an effective treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is focused on understanding acute myeloid leukemia, especially in adult patients, to develop future therapies.
Not a fit: Patients without acute myeloid leukemia would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatment options for acute myeloid leukemia, particularly for elderly patients who currently have limited choices.
How similar studies have performed: This approach of targeting selenium metabolism in AML is a novel direction, building on recent discoveries about its importance for cancer cell survival.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nakada, Daisuke — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Nakada, Daisuke
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 below.