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Unfolding the Paths of MicroRNA Suppression in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Institution: 
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Researcher(s): 
Michael Koo
Grant Type: 
POST Program Grants
Year Awarded: 
2017
Type of Childhood Cancer: 
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
Project Description: 

Background

Recent studies have shown that the global suppression of microRNAs (miRs), tiny genes that regulate the expression of other genes, is a hallmark of cancer.

Project Goal

Michael will be working to see if specific miRs exist that are unique to relapsed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. They will do this by comparing data from children who went on to chronic clinical remission or early relapse to identify differences that could be responsible for relapse, or a relapse-specific mRNA signature. The overall goal of this is to discover pathways by which miRs contribute to relapse in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The results from this study can be utilized for future therapy by replacing significant TS-miRs that have the potential to regulate genes that can stop relapse.

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Arianna Hines

Arianna is a firecracker. She is loving, empathetic, and bold. At a mere 13 months old, Arianna was diagnosed with neuroblastoma and began intensive treatment with some life-threatening complications. Today she is NED and her family raises money for ALSF.
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