Blocking EGR1 to treat aggressive diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma
Official title: Targeting EGR1 signaling pathways in diffuse large B cell lymphoma
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11250037 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests blocking a protein called EGR1 to help people with the aggressive ABC type of diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma who don't respond well to standard therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | December 20, 2021 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $349,612 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA266354-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11250037 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people with activated B‑cell (ABC) subtype diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma, particularly those whose disease is refractory to or has relapsed after frontline therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other lymphoma subtypes or those already cured by standard first‑line therapy are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this grant's activities.
What this research studies
Researchers are studying a protein called EGR1 that is higher in the aggressive ABC subtype of diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma and may drive resistance to the drug ibrutinib. The team uses tumor cells, animal models, and samples from human tonsils and lymph nodes to see how EGR1 turns on cancer genes like MYC. They are testing ways to block EGR1 and related signaling pathways, including combining approaches with existing drugs, to find treatments that stop tumor growth. Successful laboratory findings could guide future clinical trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new combination treatments that overcome drug resistance and improve outcomes for patients with ABC DLBCL.
How similar studies have gone: Existing drugs like ibrutinib have helped a subset of ABC DLBCL patients, but targeting EGR1 is a more recent laboratory-driven approach with promising preclinical data and not yet proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rui, Lixin — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Rui, Lixin
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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.