Finding new targets on cancer cells for better multiple myeloma treatments
Official title: Identifying cell surface targets for innovative immunotherapy of Multiple Myeloma
Funded at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst · NIH-11124225 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks for new ways to target multiple myeloma cells to create more effective and lasting immune-based therapies for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $507,197 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA276939-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11124225 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with multiple myeloma, especially those whose disease has returned or is difficult to treat, could potentially benefit from future therapies developed from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without multiple myeloma would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Current immune therapies for multiple myeloma, while effective for many, often do not provide long-term remission. This project aims to discover new weak spots, or 'targets,' on multiple myeloma cells that future treatments can attack. Researchers used advanced laboratory techniques, including mass spectrometry and RNA sequencing, on both cancer cell lines and samples from over 900 patients. They then carefully checked these promising targets in samples from patients with relapsed or difficult-to-treat multiple myeloma, as well as in healthy cells. The goal is to identify novel targets that could lead to more durable and effective immunotherapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to the development of new, more effective, and longer-lasting immunotherapies for patients with multiple myeloma.
How similar studies have gone: While current immune therapies for multiple myeloma have shown success, this research focuses on identifying new targets to overcome limitations, building on existing knowledge.
Where this research is happening
-
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
Tampa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Perna, Fabiana — H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
- Study coordinator: Perna, Fabiana
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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3D tumor microenvironment platform to test immunotherapies for multiple myeloma
A 3D, lab-grown model of multiple myeloma’s tumor environment is being developed to help test immunotherapies and new drug options.
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New targets on myeloma cells to drive smarter immunotherapies
Researchers are seeking new cell surface targets on myeloma cells to develop better immunotherapies for people with multiple myeloma who have exhausted other treatments.
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3D lab platform that mimics the bone marrow around multiple myeloma for testing immunotherapies
A lab-grown 3D system that recreates the bone marrow environment so researchers can test immunotherapies and drugs for people with multiple myeloma.
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Finding new targets for immunotherapy in Multiple Myeloma
This study is looking for new ways to treat Multiple Myeloma by finding specific proteins on cancer cells that could help create better immunotherapies, with the hope of helping patients stay in remission longer after their current treatments.
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Analyzing the tumor environment in multiple myeloma to improve immunotherapy and drug testing.
This study is looking at how the environment around myeloma cells affects the cancer and its response to treatments, using a special 3D model to better understand why some patients do well with therapies like CAR-T while others don’t.
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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.
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.