Changing the bone marrow environment to help immunotherapy for blood cancers
BM NICHE DISRUPTION AND IMMUNOTHERAPY IN HEMATOLOGICAL MALIGNANCIES
Developing new ways to alter the bone marrow so immunotherapies and donor stem-cell transplants work better for people with blood cancers and related disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11171350 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This program aims to improve immune-based treatments like allogeneic stem cell transplants and CAR T therapy by targeting the bone marrow 'niche,' improving stem cell collection, and reducing graft-versus-host disease and relapse. Researchers combine lab models, cancer genomics, and early-phase clinical trials and have previously performed correlative studies involving hundreds of patients. Work includes testing mobilization agents, antibody and cell-based strategies, and other approaches to make the marrow environment more favorable for curative therapy. If eligible, patients might be asked to participate in clinical trials or provide samples for correlative studies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with hematologic malignancies or related conditions who are eligible for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant or early-phase immunotherapy trials would be the main candidates.
Not a fit: People without blood cancers or those not eligible for transplant or early-phase immunotherapy trials are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could increase cure rates and lower complications such as graft-versus-host disease for people receiving stem cell transplants or immunotherapies for blood cancers.
How similar studies have performed: Some components, like improved stem cell mobilization agents and CAR T therapies, have shown clinical success, but combining marrow-niche targeting with transplant and immunotherapy is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rettig, Michael — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Rettig, Michael
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 below.