In the Lab
![Memorial Sloan Kettering physician-scientists Samuel Bakhoum, Ross Levine, and Michel Sadelain](https://www.mskcc.org/sites/default/files/styles/width_200/public/node/221827/main_image/1200x800-1.jpg)
AACR 2021 Research Roundup: Chromosomal Instability, Early Changes in Blood Cancer, Revamping CAR T Cell Therapy
MSK researchers shared their latest research developments at the 2021 meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research.
In the Lab
![Postdoctoral fellows Linde Miles and Robert Bowman in the lab.](https://www.mskcc.org/sites/default/files/styles/width_200/public/node/211957/main_image/msk_201021_005-1200x800.jpg)
Single-Cell Study Sheds Light on Leukemia’s Family Tree
New research looks at how a series of mutations in normal blood cells can lead to them becoming cancerous and how these mutations accumulate as cancer progresses.
Finding
![Researchers Ahmet Zehir and Elli Papaemmanouil talk while looking at a computer.](https://www.mskcc.org/sites/default/files/styles/width_200/public/node/211840/main_image/msk_201020_017-1200x800.jpg)
Why Do Certain Chemotherapies Increase the Likelihood of Blood Cancer?
New research focuses on clonal hematopoiesis, an age-related blood condition that increases the risk of blood cancer.
Feature
![Omar Abdel-Wahab](https://www.mskcc.org/sites/default/files/styles/width_200/public/node/159295/main_image/abdel-wahab-omar_210813_003_12x8.jpg)
What Is Epigenetics, and Why Is Everyone Talking about It?
The word “epigenetic” literally means “above the genes.” Calico cats demonstrate a type of epigenetic inheritance called X-inactivation.
Finding
![Rack of blood vials](https://www.mskcc.org/sites/default/files/styles/width_200/public/node/143083/3x2/image-for-berger-levine-post.jpeg)
Secondary Leukemia: Research Suggests New Ways to Understand What Causes This Side Effect of Cancer Treatment
MSK investigators find that the presence of certain gene mutations in patients’ blood may mean they are more likely to get a secondary leukemia.
In the Lab
![Pictured: Ross Levine](https://www.mskcc.org/sites/default/files/styles/width_200/public/node/17758/3x2/levine-ross-lab.jpg)
Researchers Discover Why Some Leukemia Drugs Are Not Sufficiently Effective
Memorial Sloan Kettering researchers have found why certain drugs are not sufficiently effective in treating leukemias called myeloproliferative neoplasms.
![](https://www.mskcc.org/sites/default/files/styles/width_200/public/node/6813/image/levineross.jpg)
Memorial Sloan Kettering Researchers Discover How Gene Mutation Contributes to Leukemia
A study led by researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering and New York University has shown that <i>TET2</i> loss enhances the function of blood stem cells, causing them to renew themselves more efficiently than normal blood stem cells.
![Pictured: Ross Levine](https://www.mskcc.org/sites/default/files/styles/width_200/public/node/6646/image/536216.jpg)
Gene Mutation Contributes To Leukemia By Enhancing Function Of Blood Stem Cells
Memorial Sloan Kettering researchers helped to identify a key insight into what first goes wrong in the development of many leukemias.
![(Left to right) Medical oncologist Mark Robson, gynecologist Noah Kauff, medical oncologist Zsofia Stadler, and Clinical Genetics Service Chief Kenneth Offit are applying genetic insights to improve the care of cancer patients.](https://www.mskcc.org/sites/default/files/styles/width_200/public/node/4535/image/429220.jpg)
Genetic Information Becomes a Vital Part of Clinical Practice
At Memorial Sloan Kettering, as the genetics revolution continues to flourish, discoveries made in the laboratory are increasingly producing real-world benefits for cancer patients.
![MSK physician-scientist Ross Levine](https://www.mskcc.org/sites/default/files/styles/width_200/public/node/4757/3x2/181029_day1_04_levine_lab_0015_1200x800.jpg)
At Work: Physician-Scientist Ross Levine
Physician-scientist Ross Levine analyzes the genetic makeup of cancer cells to identify disease pathways.