How aging bones help myeloma grow and resist treatment
An integrated mathematical modeling approach to define how the aging bone ecosystem drives multiple myeloma evolution and treatment response
Researchers are combining lab experiments, aging mouse models, and computer-based models to map how changes in the aging bone environment let multiple myeloma cells survive treatment in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 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 ID | NIH-11248324 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have multiple myeloma, this project uses lab work, aged mouse models, and computer-based math models to map how aging bones help myeloma cells survive and resist drugs like proteasome inhibitors and zoledronate. The team will analyze tissue and spatial gene activity and run simulations to see how drug-sensitive and drug-resistant cancer cell groups compete in the bone environment. They will test model predictions with experiments and explore adaptive treatment schedules intended to delay relapse. Findings are meant to guide future trials that could offer personalized treatment timing based on a patient’s bone marrow environment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with multiple myeloma—particularly older adults (about 65 and up)—could be candidates to provide bone marrow or tissue samples or to join future trials guided by this work.
Not a fit: People without multiple myeloma, or patients seeking immediate changes to their own therapy, should not expect direct clinical benefit from this primarily preclinical and modeling project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could inform treatment plans that make current myeloma drugs work better and delay relapse, especially in older patients.
How similar studies have performed: Proteasome inhibitors and bone-targeting drugs have improved outcomes and prior models offered insights, but integrating aging bone biology with spatial transcriptomics and adaptive therapy planning is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Tampa, United States
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst — Tampa, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lynch, Conor C — H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
- Study coordinator: Lynch, Conor C
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.