Molecular tricks to boost how the body fights myeloma
Official title: Molecular Manipulation to Enhance Anti-Myeloma Response
Funded at VA Boston Health Care System · NIH-11264864 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists are studying how long noncoding RNAs influence multiple myeloma and are testing new ideas to target these RNAs to help people with this cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Boston Health Care System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2012 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX001584-12 |
| Project ID | NIH-11264864 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with multiple myeloma or individuals donating samples for research related to MM RNA signatures may be relevant.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose disease biology does not involve the identified RNAs or who are not eligible for any related trials may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells, and how the cancer adapts at the genetic level. Researchers have mapped thousands of long noncoding RNAs in myeloma cells and are exploring which RNAs affect cancer cell survival. They used patient-derived samples and cell models to identify RNAs linked to disease progression and to test how disrupting them impacts cancer growth. The aim is to uncover new targets for therapies that could complement existing treatments and improve patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal new RNA-based targets for therapies that slow or stop myeloma progression.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary screens have identified RNAs affecting myeloma cell viability, suggesting potential for therapeutic targeting, but clinical benefits require further validation.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Boston Health Care System
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Munshi, Nikhil C. — VA Boston Health Care System
- Study coordinator: Munshi, Nikhil C.
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.