How c-MYC controls immune cell growth and memory-like behavior
The transcription factor c-MYC in lymphocyte expansion and restriction of stemness
This project looks at how a protein called c-MYC makes immune cells multiply fast but limits their ability to become long‑lived, memory-like cells, which matters for improving T‑cell therapies and vaccines.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11140534 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are mapping the gene program that c-MYC turns on in developing and mature lymphocytes to understand why rapid cell growth leads to short-lived effector cells rather than durable memory or stem-like cells. They will expand T cells outside the body, analyze molecular and gene-regulatory changes, and identify key downstream genes and checkpoints that link proliferation to differentiation. The team will test whether selectively blocking those differentiation signals can produce more antigen-specific lymphocytes with memory/stem-like properties. These lab and translational experiments aim to inform better ways to make CAR-T cells and vaccine responses last longer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers treated by T-cell therapies or individuals willing to donate blood or tissue samples for immunology research would best match the participants whose cells or samples this work could use.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to immune cell function or those not eligible for T‑cell-based therapies are unlikely to see direct benefit from this grant's laboratory-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help create longer-lasting immune responses and improve the durability of T-cell therapies and vaccines.
How similar studies have performed: Previous efforts to boost T‑cell memory and persistence have shown promise in preclinical and early clinical CAR‑T work, but directly targeting the c‑MYC-driven program for this purpose is relatively novel and unproven.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Egawa, Takeshi — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Egawa, Takeshi
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.