Environment, mutation patterns, and T‑cell immunity in high‑risk MGUS
Role of the Environment, Mutographs and T Cell Immunity on MGUS
This project looks at how environmental exposures, mutational patterns, and T‑cell immune signals relate to high‑risk MGUS to help identify people more likely to progress to multiple myeloma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11308255 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You may be asked to give blood and possibly bone marrow samples so researchers can map genetic mutation patterns, chromatin accessibility (ATAC‑seq), and T‑cell immune features. The team will link those biological measurements with information about large‑scale environmental and social exposures to see how they interact. Advanced sequencing and mutational‑signature analysis will be used to trace early changes that appear to push MGUS toward progression. The overall aim is to develop better ways to detect and monitor people with high‑risk MGUS earlier.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with a confirmed diagnosis of MGUS—especially those classified as high‑risk or who have recent blood or bone marrow test results—are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without MGUS, or those already living with advanced multiple myeloma, are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify people with MGUS who are at higher risk of progressing to multiple myeloma and support earlier monitoring or intervention.
How similar studies have performed: Genomic and immune profiling has provided insights into multiple myeloma previously, but combining mutational signatures with environmental exposure data in MGUS is a newer approach with limited prior results.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brown, Elizabeth E — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Brown, Elizabeth E
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.