Xue Han, PhD, CRI CLIP Investigator Ohio State University Area of Research: Leukemia In response to the limited treatment efficacy and high relapse rates in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), Dr. Han’s project explores the role of the immune checkpoint molecule, programmed death-1 homolog (PD-1H, also called VISTA), in the AML microenvironment. Recognized for its unique elevated expression in AML compared to other immune checkpoint molecules, Dr. Han’s study aims to unravel the impact of PD-1H on AML progression and immune suppression. The proposal includes three specific aims: (1) the use of a primary mouse AML model with CRISPR-Cas9 mediated PD-1H knockout to assess its influence on disease progression and immune dynamics, (2) to explore PD-1H’s role in different immune cells within the AML microenvironment using conditional knockout mice, focusing on myeloid and T cells, and (3) to evaluate the therapeutic potential of PD-1H blockade, including its combination with other immunotherapies, in AML mouse models. This study is positioned to provide novel insights into the immunological aspects of AML and pave the way for innovative, more effective immunotherapeutic strategies for this malignancy. Projects and Grants Advancing acute myeloid leukemia immunotherapy through PD-1H (VISTA) pathway interception Ohio State University | Leukemia | 2024
