How bone marrow cells help multiple myeloma resist treatment
C/EBPβ in bone marrow stromal cell-mediated drug resistance of multiple myeloma
Researchers are looking at a protein called C/EBPβ to understand why multiple myeloma cells in the bone marrow sometimes become resistant to drugs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | West Virginia University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Morgantown, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11140425 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have multiple myeloma, this project focuses on how cells in your bone marrow can protect myeloma cells from treatment. The team studies the protein C/EBPβ and how it changes gene activity and chromatin in myeloma cells exposed to bone marrow stromal cells. They use lab models and genome-wide molecular methods to mimic the bone marrow environment and find the switches that make resistance happen quickly and reversibly. Results could point to new ways to stop or reverse treatment resistance.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with multiple myeloma—especially those with disease that is refractory or relapsing, or those able to provide bone marrow samples—would be the most relevant participants or sample donors.
Not a fit: Patients without multiple myeloma or with unrelated medical conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific molecular research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could identify targets to prevent or reverse drug resistance in multiple myeloma, leading to more durable treatment responses.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have shown the bone marrow microenvironment can cause reversible drug resistance, but targeting C/EBPβ specifically is a newer approach that is not yet well tested.
Where this research is happening
Morgantown, United States
- West Virginia University — Morgantown, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hu, Gangqing — West Virginia University
- Study coordinator: Hu, Gangqing
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.