Molecular clues to when multiple myeloma starts in at-risk people
Official title: Molecular Prediction of Myeloma Initiation Molecular Prediction of Myeloma Initiation
Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-11401406 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant focuses on finding early signs that multiple myeloma begins in people at higher risk, especially older Black individuals, so we might catch the disease before it causes serious problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 6, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,040,400 |
| NIH project number | 5R35CA263817-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11401406 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults over 50, particularly Black individuals, with or without a family history of hematologic cancers, who are willing to participate in population-based screening and follow-up.
✕Less likely to help
People not at elevated risk or unwilling to participate in screening and follow-up may not benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how early immune changes and molecular patterns appear in people at risk for multiple myeloma, using a sensitive mass spectrometry method to screen around 7,500 individuals. The project aims to understand how aging and race influence early MGIP-like states and how these states might progress to MGUS, SMM, or full myeloma. By identifying pathways and markers early, the work could inform future prevention or earlier treatment strategies for those most at risk. The study is grounded in human data and samples from diverse participants, with a focus on translating findings to better screening and risk stratification.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to earlier detection and personalized prevention strategies for myeloma in high-risk groups, potentially reducing complications and improving outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary screening work has shown a notable prevalence of MGIP in at-risk groups, supporting further investigation, though this specific path is being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ghobrial, Irene M. — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Ghobrial, Irene M.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Integrative study of multiple myeloma genetics and disease biology
A team at Dana-Farber and partners is pursuing a long-term project to understand the genetic and molecular drivers of multiple myeloma and how treatments interact with disease biology.
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Comparative Modeling to Prevent, Detect Early, and Treat Multiple Myeloma
A research team will build and compare computer models to understand how multiple myeloma develops, can be detected earlier, and treated more effectively.
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How LDL Affects Multiple Myeloma: New Pathways to Keep Remission
A new grant is studying how cholesterol from LDL particles fuels multiple myeloma and how this interaction influences the tumor environment and immune response, with goals to help patients stay in remission.
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Therapy-induced senescence and immune activation in multiple myeloma
A study in people with multiple myeloma will explore how treatment-related senescence in cancer cells may stimulate the immune system and affect cancer return after standard frontline therapy.
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BCMA CAR-T enteritis: understanding immune toxicities in multiple myeloma
A broad study to uncover why some CAR-T cell treatments targeting BCMA cause severe intestinal inflammation in people with multiple myeloma.
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Understanding Drug-Resistant Multiple Myeloma to Stop Relapse
Researchers are studying why some myeloma cells resist treatment and how to create new therapies to prevent relapse.
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.