Metabolism that controls B‑cell leukemias and lymphomas

Metabolic gatekeepers in B-cell malignancies

NIH-funded research Yale University · NIH-11178439

The team is trying to trigger B cells' own safety switches and shift their metabolism to kill or stop growth of B‑cell leukemias and lymphomas, especially when standard drugs stop working.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionYale University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Haven, United States)
Project IDNIH-11178439 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers plan to push signaling pathways inside malignant B cells to mimic the overactive signals that normally eliminate self‑reactive B cells, and to target metabolic pathways that cancer B cells rely on. They will use laboratory cell models and animal work alongside analyses tied to human B‑cell cancers to identify drug combinations that force cancer cells into this self‑destruct program. The goal is to find approaches that overcome resistance to current kinase inhibitors used in B‑ALL, CLL, and mantle cell lymphoma. Successful leads could then move toward clinical testing.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with B‑cell malignancies such as B‑ALL, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or mantle cell lymphoma, especially those with relapsed or treatment‑resistant disease.

Not a fit: People without B‑cell leukemias or lymphomas, or whose tumors do not depend on B‑cell receptor signaling, are unlikely to benefit from these specific approaches.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that kill drug‑resistant B‑cell leukemias and lymphomas and reduce relapse risk.

How similar studies have performed: Earlier preclinical work, including this team's prior R35 studies, showed that engaging B‑cell negative selection can kill B‑cell tumors in lab models, but turning pharmacological hyperactivation into human therapies remains novel.

Where this research is happening

New Haven, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Autoimmune Diseases
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.