Grant: Project Grant

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a blood cancer that causes a toxic build-up of non-functional, immature blood cells. These leukemic cells are 'blocked' in their ability to become specialized functional cells, such as red blood cells for transporting oxygen, and immune cells for fighting infection. Despite our ability to initially treat AML and achieve near undetectable levels of rare cancer cells, a state called "remission", AML still returns. Unfortunately, this "relapse" is very common and fatal for AML patients. The cancer cells responsible for this relapse are believed to be Leukemic Stem/Progenitor Cells (LSPCs) because they have a "stem cell" like ability to keep making copies of themselves uncontrollably. However, over the last 5 years, our team of researchers has recently shown these LSPCs are housed in the bone marrow (BM) of patients, are unlike healthy blood stem cells, and have very different requirements to survive and sustain disease in this BM house. Some of the unique requirements in the BM are how LSPCs use and organize iron and fat cells, and the opposite effect not only does not harm healthy cells, but our data suggests activates remaining healthy stem cells in AML disease. We believe we have uncovered a "wedge" in the differences of the BM that on one side punishes AML while on the other side helps healthy blood production in patients. We now aim to better understand the cells and gene mechanisms involved, and test ways to use this new information about this "wedge" that separates leukemic cells from healthy blood to activate healthy blood formation from AML patients' cells or healthy transplanted cells. Our team is uniquely positioned to do this, as we are comprised of researchers with the technologies, expertise, and experience in this specific area of study unique in Canada, as well as clinical scientists who are excited to bring new therapies to our patients as soon as possible.