Characterizing the Leukemic Microenvironment in Pediatric Mixed Phenotype Acute Leukemia

Background

Acute leukemia is the most frequent childhood malignancy and is generally categorized into lymphoid or myeloid leukemias. However, 2-5% of pediatric acute leukemia present with simultaneous lymphoid and myeloid leukemia, diagnosed as mixed phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL). Unfortunately little is known about MPAL and standardized therapy isn't established, which hinders the patients' chance of achieving a disease-free remission.

Project Goal

Though this proposal we strive to gain insight into MPAL by using a novel mouse model of the disease. Specifically, we will address if neighboring cells, called macrophages, cooperate or antagonize leukemic expansion. Ultimately, the data gathered from these experiments may serve as preliminary findings for exploring immunotherapies to treat pediatric MPAL.