Enhancing immune response to prevent progression of smoldering myeloma
Official title: Improving immune modulation for smoldering myeloma
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11047310 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to help the immune system better recognize and manage smoldering myeloma, which can lead to multiple myeloma, by understanding the immune cells in patients and how they change with treatment, so we can find new ways to keep the condition from getting worse.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $606,993 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA289978-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11047310 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with smoldering myeloma who are at risk of progression to multiple myeloma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with active multiple myeloma or those without a diagnosis of smoldering myeloma are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to improve the immune system's ability to recognize and control smoldering myeloma, a precursor to multiple myeloma. It focuses on understanding the characteristics of immune cells in patients with smoldering myeloma and how these cells change during treatment. By evaluating the spatial architecture and states of immune cells, the research aims to identify ways to enhance immune modulation, potentially preventing the progression to clinical myeloma. Patients may receive therapies that target these immune responses to improve their outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing the progression of smoldering myeloma to multiple myeloma, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise in using immune modulation to manage precursor states of myeloma, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dhodapkar, Madhav V — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Dhodapkar, Madhav V
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
-
Comparative Modeling to Prevent, Detect Early, and Treat Multiple Myeloma
A research team will build and compare computer models to understand how multiple myeloma develops, can be detected earlier, and treated more effectively.
-
How LDL Affects Multiple Myeloma: New Pathways to Keep Remission
A new grant is studying how cholesterol from LDL particles fuels multiple myeloma and how this interaction influences the tumor environment and immune response, with goals to help patients stay in remission.
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Therapy-induced senescence and immune activation in multiple myeloma
A study in people with multiple myeloma will explore how treatment-related senescence in cancer cells may stimulate the immune system and affect cancer return after standard frontline therapy.
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BCMA CAR-T enteritis: understanding immune toxicities in multiple myeloma
A broad study to uncover why some CAR-T cell treatments targeting BCMA cause severe intestinal inflammation in people with multiple myeloma.
-
Understanding Drug-Resistant Multiple Myeloma to Stop Relapse
Researchers are studying why some myeloma cells resist treatment and how to create new therapies to prevent relapse.
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.