NIH-funded research R01 grant

BCMA-directed T cell therapy optimization in multiple myeloma

Official title: preclinical optimization of BCMA directed T cell therapy

Funded at Mayo Clinic Arizona · NIH-11394636 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A Mayo Clinic team is testing improved, immune-based BCMA therapy to help people with multiple myeloma when current treatments fail.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMayo Clinic Arizona
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Scottsdale, United States)
Project startSeptember 20, 2023
Project endAugust 31, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$621,878
NIH project number5R01CA272426-04
Project IDNIH-11394636 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Not a patient-facing trial; results could influence future treatments for adults with multiple myeloma.

Less likely to help

Individual patients are not enrolled in this preclinical study; findings may inform future clinical approaches.

What this research studies

This project uses a fully immunocompetent mouse model that mimics human multiple myeloma to study how BCMA-targeted T cell therapies interact with the tumor and immune environment. The researchers will test combinations that could boost T cell function and improve the effectiveness of bispecific antibodies against BCMA. By understanding how tumor burden and immune interactions affect therapy, they aim to identify strategies that translate to better responses in patients. The work focuses on preclinical studies to guide future clinical approaches, rather than immediate patient treatment. The ultimate goal is to inform more durable, effective immunotherapies for multiple myeloma patients.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could guide the design of more effective BCMA-based immunotherapies for myeloma patients, potentially leading to longer-lasting remissions.

How similar studies have gone: Preclinical models have shown that immune interactions and tumor burden influence bispecific antibody activity; this work builds on that knowledge in a more clinically predictive setting.

Where this research is happening

  • Mayo Clinic Arizona
    Scottsdale, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Chesi, Marta — Mayo Clinic Arizona
  • Study coordinator: Chesi, Marta

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.