Improving hearing and treatment for vestibular schwannomas
Official title: Targeting HMGB1 to improve hearing andenhance therapy for Vestibular Schwannomas
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11097213 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into how tumors related to neurofibromatosis type 2 cause hearing loss, and it's for people who want to find better ways to stop these tumors from growing while keeping their hearing intact.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | June 16, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $436,908 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC020724-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11097213 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 2 who are experiencing hearing loss due to vestibular schwannomas.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without vestibular schwannomas or those not diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 2 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how vestibular schwannomas, tumors associated with neurofibromatosis type 2, lead to hearing loss. The team aims to investigate the mechanisms behind tumor-induced hearing impairment and develop effective therapies to halt tumor growth while preserving hearing function. By studying the role of inflammation and specific proteins like HMGB1, they hope to identify new treatment strategies that could improve the quality of life for affected patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that prevent hearing loss and improve treatment outcomes for patients with vestibular schwannomas.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting inflammatory pathways in tumor biology, suggesting that this approach could yield beneficial results.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xu, Lei — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Xu, Lei
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.