How changes in the Ikaros gene affect multiple myeloma and treatment response
Investigating the role Ikaros variants in multiple myeloma pathophysiology and drug sensitivity
This work looks at whether a specific Ikaros gene variant in people with multiple myeloma changes how aggressive the cancer is and how well treatments like lenalidomide work.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11319794 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have multiple myeloma, this project studies a version of the Ikaros gene that normal plasma cells often have but some myeloma cells lose. Researchers compare patient bone marrow and blood samples with lab models to see how the missing Ikaros variant changes cancer cell behavior and response to drugs. They focus on how drugs such as lenalidomide cause Ikaros proteins to be broken down and whether the variant affects that process. The goal is to connect the gene change to treatment resistance and clinical outcomes like time without relapse.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with multiple myeloma, especially those able to provide bone marrow or blood samples or with disease that has relapsed after treatment, are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without multiple myeloma or whose tumors do not show changes in the Ikaros gene are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help predict who will respond to current therapies and suggest new targets to overcome drug resistance.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research showed drugs like lenalidomide work by triggering Ikaros protein degradation and can help many patients, but the specific role of this Ikaros variant in resistance is a newer and less-tested finding.
Where this research is happening
College Station, United States
- Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr — College Station, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Singh, Irtisha — Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
- Study coordinator: Singh, Irtisha
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.