The Castilla lab has defined the role of oncogenic mutations, including leukemia fusion gene CBFB-MYH11 and NRas-G12D, in the disruption of survival and differentiation pathways in pre-leukemic hematopoietic cells. A major interest of the Castilla Lab is the identification of the components of apoptosis and proliferation targeted by driver mutations that govern oncogene addiction in acute myeloid leukemia. 

• Kuo et al. (2006) Cbf beta-SMMHC induces distinct abnormal myeloid progenitors able to develop acute myeloid leukemia. Cancer Cell 2006, 9(1):57-68.
• Pullikan et al. (2012) Thrombopoietin/MPL participates in initiating and maintaining RUNX1-ETO acute myeloid leukemia via PI3K/AKT signaling. Blood, 120(4):868-79.
• Xue et al (2014) NrasG12D oncoprotein inhibits apoptosis of preleukemic cells expressing Cbfβ-SMMHC via activation of MEK/ERK axis.  Blood, 124(3):426-36.