Abstract 6670: Unraveling bone marrow adipocyte-leukemia interactions: Identifying key signaling pathways for improved leukemia therapies

Abstract Bone marrow, the soft tissue within our bones, plays a vital role in blood production and also houses fat cells called bone marrow adipocytes (BMAs), which are a natural component of its structure. However, recent studies suggest that these fat cells might contribute to leukemia growth by fostering an environment that aids cancer cell survival and enhances their resistance to treatments like chemotherapy. This issue could be exacerbated in individuals with obesity, as they have an increased amount of bone marrow fat cells, potentially creating an even more protective environment for leukemia cells. Here, we study two aggressive types of leukemia: acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We believe leukemia cells send specific signals to these fat cells, causing them to change in ways that promote cancer growth and treatment resistance. Our research will investigate these communication signals and the changes in fat cell behavior, with the aim of finding new ways to treat leukemia more effectively. The study has three main goals: (i) understanding how leukemia alters fat cell metabolism; (ii) examining how different eating patterns like calorie restriction and time-restricted feeding affect fat cell activity and (iii) exploring how time-restricted feeding influences leukemia cell survival and metabolism after chemotherapy. Investigating the role of BMAs in leukemia not only deepens our understanding of the bone marrow microenvironment but also opens new avenues for targeted therapies. Over time, this work could revolutionize how we understand and treat leukemia, laying the groundwork for new therapies that target its underlying biochemical mechanisms, and potentially reshaping the future of cancer treatment. Citation Format: Janane Rahbani, Minsu Song, Obi Ukomadu, Olivia Arnold, Ella Postich, Arjun Dhar, Caner Saygin. Unraveling bone marrow adipocyte-leukemia interactions: Identifying key signaling pathways for improved leukemia therapies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 6670.