Dr. Saygin’s laboratory investigates the biology of leukemia using both in vitro and in vivo models of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), as well as human samples from patients with these malignancies. A key focus of the lab is understanding the drivers of clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) and its progression to leukemias of either myeloid or lymphoid lineage, in both de novo and therapy-related contexts.
The overarching goal of Dr. Saygin’s translational research program is to identify the molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive these fatal diseases and to translate those insights into novel therapeutic strategies. The lab’s drug development efforts are particularly focused on high-risk subsets of AML and ALL and have resulted in the launch of investigator-initiated phase I/II clinical trials originating directly from discoveries made in the lab.
Type 2 calreticulin mutations activate ATF6 to promote BCL-xL-mediated survival in myeloproliferative neoplasms.
Type 2 calreticulin mutations activate ATF6 to promote BCL-xL-mediated survival in myeloproliferative neoplasms. Blood. 2025 May 22.
PMID: 40403318
TP53 mutations and TET2 deficiency cooperate to drive leukemogenesis and establish an immunosuppressive environment.
TP53 mutations and TET2 deficiency cooperate to drive leukemogenesis and establish an immunosuppressive environment. J Clin Invest. 2025 May 15; 135(10).
PMID: 40111422
Factors associated with survival following allogeneic transplantation for myeloid neoplasms harboring TP53 mutations.
Factors associated with survival following allogeneic transplantation for myeloid neoplasms harboring TP53 mutations. Blood Adv. 2025 Mar 14.
PMID: 40085959
CD58 expression does not impact response to inotuzumab ozogamicin in patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
CD58 expression does not impact response to inotuzumab ozogamicin in patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. EJHaem. 2025 Feb; 6(1):e1076.
PMID: 39866945
Risk prediction for clonal cytopenia: multicenter real-world evidence.
Risk prediction for clonal cytopenia: multicenter real-world evidence. Blood. 2024 Nov 07; 144(19):2033-2044.
PMID: 38996210
Venetoclax in combination with a pediatric-inspired regimen for the treatment of newly diagnosed adults with Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Venetoclax in combination with a pediatric-inspired regimen for the treatment of newly diagnosed adults with Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Haematologica. 2025 May 01; 110(5):1105-1114.
PMID: 39506897
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Version 2.2024, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Version 2.2024, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2024 10; 22(8):563-576.
PMID: 39413812
Impact of Age on Pharmacogenomics and Treatment Outcomes of B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
Impact of Age on Pharmacogenomics and Treatment Outcomes of B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. J Clin Oncol. 2024 Oct 10; 42(29):3478-3490.
PMID: 39102629
Real world predictors of response and 24-month survival in high-grade TP53-mutated myeloid neoplasms.
Real world predictors of response and 24-month survival in high-grade TP53-mutated myeloid neoplasms. Blood Cancer J. 2024 06 18; 14(1):99.
PMID: 38890297
Cell surface CD55 traffics to the nucleus leading to cisplatin resistance and stemness by inducing PRC2 and H3K27 trimethylation on chromatin in ovarian cancer.
Cell surface CD55 traffics to the nucleus leading to cisplatin resistance and stemness by inducing PRC2 and H3K27 trimethylation on chromatin in ovarian cancer. Mol Cancer. 2024 Jun 10; 23(1):121.
PMID: 38853277