Investigating the best treatment target for fibrous dysplasia bone lesions
Official title: Osteoclasts or RANKL: Which is the critical target in treatment of fibrous dysplasia bone lesions?
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11046621 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called RANKL affects painful bone growths in people with fibrous dysplasia and testing whether an antibody that blocks RANKL can help shrink these growths, with hopes of finding better treatments for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $174,545 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AR080849-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11046621 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with fibrous dysplasia who experience bone lesions and related complications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with fibrous dysplasia who do not have significant bone lesions or those who are not experiencing symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on fibrous dysplasia (FD), a condition that causes painful bone lesions and increases the risk of fractures. The study aims to understand the role of a specific protein, RANKL, in the formation of these lesions and how an antibody that neutralizes RANKL can reduce their size. By using a mouse model that mimics human FD, researchers will explore how this treatment affects both abnormal and normal bone cells. The goal is to identify new therapeutic targets that could lead to safer and more effective treatments for patients with FD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment options that reduce pain and improve bone health for patients with fibrous dysplasia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that targeting RANKL can be effective in treating conditions related to bone health, suggesting a promising avenue for this investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Charles, Julia F — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Charles, Julia F
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.