# CHEMODIFFERENTIATION AS AN APPROACH TO CANCER THERAPY

> **NIH NIH R01** · ROSWELL PARK CANCER INSTITUTE · 1990 · $161,650

## Abstract

Studies completed during the tenure of the expiring grant have
demonstrated that the ability of DNA-specific anticancer agents
to induce the differentiation of human myeloblastic leukemia
(ML-1) cells depends upon the presence of natural differentiation-
inducing factors.  They have also shown that a myb oncogene-
product, p75, controls the expression of some proliferation-
related transcription.  The research plan proposed is designed to
expand on these topics by examining the mechanism by which ML-
1 specific growth-(GF) and differentiation factors (DF), in
conjunction with pertinent oncogene (c-myb, c-myc, c-fos)
products cause the expression of the cellular proliferation and
differentiation programs.  Specific GF and DF are to be
characterized, and their cell receptors and intracellular targets
are to be determined.  Changes in oncogene expression during GF-
and DF-initiated growth or differentiation are to be assessed, and
the identity of p75 and of the mRNAs that are expressed in its
presence are to be determined.  Finally, the therapeutic potential
that derives from the GF- and DF-mediated control of tumor
growth and differentiation is to be examined, by using molecularly
cloned DF for treating ML-1 leukemia cells in the nude mouse
model, in the presence and absence of DNA-specific
antineoplastic agents.  As part of this examination, methods are
to be developed for detecting the levels of DF in vivo.  The
proposed evaluation of the dynamic interactions that exist
between GF, DF and antineoplastic drugs, and the effect these
have on the molecular processes involved in growth and
differentiation, should provide new insights useful for the more
rational and effective use of these drugs and for the application
of natural growth and differentiation factors in cancer therapy.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3173757
- **Project number:** 5R01CA036241-07
- **Recipient organization:** ROSWELL PARK CANCER INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** ALEXANDER BLOCH
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1990
- **Award amount:** $161,650
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1984-06-01 → 1991-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3173757

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3173757, CHEMODIFFERENTIATION AS AN APPROACH TO CANCER THERAPY (5R01CA036241-07). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3173757. Licensed CC0.

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