Translational Utility of New Models of Human AML

Background

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a genetically complex group of cancers wherein pediatric patients can be divided into those with chromosomal translocations and patients that are cytogenetically normal (CN-AML). Murine models for AMLs other than CN-AML have been effective in representing the somatic mutations found in humans. CN-AML modeling, however, has been less successful. With nearly 50% of human AML cases represented by CN-AML, there exists a serious need for genetically validated animal models to address pressing biological and therapeutic questions.

Project Goal

The Grimes lab has generated a rapid, spontaneous and accurate mouse model of human CN-AML, and plan to use this model to determine the translational utility of murine Flt3-ITD Dnmt3a AML compared to AML models generated with AML-ETO and MLL-AF9 translocation leukemia oncoproteins.