# DETECTION OF DRUG RESISTANT CELLS IN ACUTE LEUKEMIA

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE · 1987 · $147,469

## Abstract

The long term objective of this application is to develop methods that
enable the rapid identification of the mechanistic type and frequency of
antineoplastic drug resistant cells within populations of blast cells
obtained from patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL).  The
importance of such methodologies cannot be understated, since they will not
only aid in the immediate selection of therapy, but will also give
direction to future research in the design of new therapeutic approaches,
aimed at overcoming those mechanisms of drug resistance identified.  These
studies will focus on the two most effective agents currently available for
treatment of ANLL, daunorubicin (DNR) and 1-B-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine
(ara-C).  We will utilize state-of-the-art flow cytometric and cell sorting
technology to enhance detection of drug resistant cells.  Our preliminary
studies reveal that our flow cytometer can accurately detect
sub-populations as infrequent as 0.016% of the total population.  Our
specific aims propose: A. to refine methods of flow cytometric evaluation
of intracellular DNR and to investigate the relationship between
intracellular DNR content or concentration as determined by flow cytometry
and neoplastic cellular sensitivity to the drug; B. to establish optimal
conditions of flow cytometric detection of ara-C incorporation into the DNA
of single cells, utilizing a fluorescent antibody technique.  To aid in
achieving this end, we will attempt to develop a monoclonal antibody which
recognizes ara-C incorporated into DNA.  DNA synthesis during ara-C
exposure will be quanitified in individual cells by utilizing the
established flow cytometric method for measuring bromodeoxyuridine
incorporation into DNA; C. to correlate the type and frequency of
biological or biochemical alterations observed in blast cells obtained from
patient with ANLL with clinical response of these patients to ara-C and DNR.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3179818
- **Project number:** 5R01CA040188-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE
- **SAM.gov UEI:** Z9CRZKD42ZT1
- **Principal Investigator:** DOUGLAS DONALD ROSS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $147,469
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1985-07-01 → 1988-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3179818

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3179818, DETECTION OF DRUG RESISTANT CELLS IN ACUTE LEUKEMIA (5R01CA040188-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3179818. Licensed CC0.

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