3D tumor microenvironment platform to test immunotherapies for multiple myeloma
Official title: Microphysiological platform for analyzing multiple myeloma's tumor microenvironment, enabling immunotherapy assessment and drug screening.
Funded at Northeastern University · NIH-11381067 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A 3D, lab-grown model of multiple myeloma’s tumor environment is being developed to help test immunotherapies and new drug options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northeastern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $419,466 |
| NIH project number | 5R33CA291125-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381067 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with multiple myeloma who could benefit from improved immunotherapy approaches and personalized treatment strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking immediate clinical treatment changes or trial enrollment may not benefit directly from this in vitro platform alone.
What this research studies
This project creates a three-dimensional, tissue-like platform that mimics the bone marrow tumor environment found in multiple myeloma. By incorporating immune cells, hypoxic conditions, and dynamic fluid flow, the model aims to reflect how CAR-T cells and bispecific antibodies interact with myeloma cells. The approach seeks to identify factors that drive resistance and relapse, using this in vitro system to screen potential therapies. The work is designed to provide insight that could guide future patient trials and personalized treatment testing. No direct patient treatment is part of the current work, but it is aimed at informing therapies for people with multiple myeloma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the platform could speed up discovery of effective immunotherapies and help tailor treatments for multiple myeloma patients.
How similar studies have gone: Prior 3D and microfluidic tumor models have shown promise in mimicking native microenvironments, with potential for better prediction of immunotherapy responses.
Where this research is happening
-
Northeastern University
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Konry, Tania Tali — Northeastern University
- Study coordinator: Konry, Tania Tali
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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New targets on myeloma cells to drive smarter immunotherapies
Researchers are seeking new cell surface targets on myeloma cells to develop better immunotherapies for people with multiple myeloma who have exhausted other treatments.
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3D lab platform that mimics the bone marrow around multiple myeloma for testing immunotherapies
A lab-grown 3D system that recreates the bone marrow environment so researchers can test immunotherapies and drugs for people with multiple myeloma.
-
Finding new targets on cancer cells for better multiple myeloma treatments
This research looks for new ways to target multiple myeloma cells to create more effective and lasting immune-based therapies for patients.
-
Finding new targets for immunotherapy in Multiple Myeloma
This study is looking for new ways to treat Multiple Myeloma by finding specific proteins on cancer cells that could help create better immunotherapies, with the hope of helping patients stay in remission longer after their current treatments.
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Analyzing the tumor environment in multiple myeloma to improve immunotherapy and drug testing.
This study is looking at how the environment around myeloma cells affects the cancer and its response to treatments, using a special 3D model to better understand why some patients do well with therapies like CAR-T while others don’t.
-
Integrative study of multiple myeloma genetics and disease biology
A team at Dana-Farber and partners is pursuing a long-term project to understand the genetic and molecular drivers of multiple myeloma and how treatments interact with disease biology.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.