Dr. Olsen is investigating new therapeutic options to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an aggressive form of childhood cancer. One subtype of AML is characterized by a chromosomal translocation involving the MLL (KMT2A) and the AF9 gene, resulting in an abnormal MLL-AF9 fusion protein. Dr. Olsen is targeting the MLL-AF9 fusion protein using a newly developed protein degradation approach. Characterizing the consequences of direct MLL-AF9 degradation will provide important mechanistic insight into how this mutant protein modulates leukemia and help guide the development of combination therapeutic approaches for long-term responses in pediatric AML patients.
Damon Runyon Researchers
Meet Our ScientistsSarah Naomi Olsen, PhD
Project title: "Targeted degradation of the MLL-AF9 fusion oncoprotein in acute myeloid leukemia"
Institution: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Award Program: Sohn Fellow
Sponsor(s) / Mentor(s): Scott A. Armstrong, MD, PhD
Cancer Type: Blood, Pediatric
Research Area: Epigenetics