Autoantibodies define scleroderma subgroups with distinct cancer links
Official title: Autoantibodies define scleroderma subgroups with distinct relationships to cancer
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11382187 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how specific autoantibodies in scleroderma patients relate to cancer timing and risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | April 9, 2018 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $661,037 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR073208-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11382187 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) who have available autoantibody profiles and cancer data from established cohorts.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without the relevant autoantibody patterns or without access to linked cancer data may not receive actionable insights.
What this research studies
This project uses patient blood samples and medical histories to group scleroderma patients by their autoantibody profiles. The team will analyze existing and new data from two large patient cohorts to see how these antibodies correspond to cancer occurring around the time scleroderma starts. By comparing antibody breadth and strength, they aim to identify subgroups with higher or lower cancer risk and understand how immune responses relate to cancer. Findings could help improve cancer risk stratification and inform patient care in scleroderma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors predict cancer risk in scleroderma patients and tailor monitoring and treatment accordingly.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown associations between certain autoantibodies and cancer timing in scleroderma, supporting this targeted approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shah, Ami Aalok — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Shah, Ami Aalok
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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.