Organoid model to study how malaria and EBV drive Burkitt lymphoma in children
Official title: Development of an organoid model for studying endemic Burkitt lymphoma pathogenesis
Funded at Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis · NIH-11445198 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study uses human tonsillar organoids to understand how malaria parasite infection and EBV together may cause a type of lymphoma in children from sub-Saharan Africa.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Little Rock, United States) |
| Project start | July 22, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $75,074 |
| NIH project number | 1R03AI202278-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11445198 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children in sub-Saharan Africa at risk for endemic Burkitt lymphoma or with related EBV/malaria exposure
✕Less likely to help
Children outside the affected regions or without exposure history may not benefit from these findings directly
What this research studies
This project tests a new human tissue model—tonsillar organoids—to see how EBV hides in B cells and how malaria-infected red blood cells might spark the immune signals that help lymphomas form. Researchers will study EBV latency in B cells within the organoids and whether malaria exposure promotes germinal center activity that could lead to malignant transformation. The goal is to validate findings from mouse models and cell lines in a human-relevant system to better understand disease mechanisms and identify potential intervention points.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could clarify the human-specific steps that lead to endemic Burkitt lymphoma and point to targets for prevention or early intervention in at-risk children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies used cell lines and animal models; this project introduces a human organoid model to bridge gaps and validate prior findings
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
Little Rock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stumhofer, Jason S — Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
- Study coordinator: Stumhofer, Jason S
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Enriching tumor-derived EBV DNA to build a diagnostic test for endemic Burkitt lymphoma (eBL)
A study to develop a blood-based test that specifically detects tumor-derived EBV DNA to improve early diagnosis of endemic Burkitt lymphoma in children.
-
Improving diagnosis of Burkitt lymphoma in children using blood tests.
This study is looking at a new way to help doctors quickly and accurately diagnose endemic Burkitt lymphoma in children by checking for a specific virus in their blood, which could lead to faster treatment and better outcomes.
-
Investigating methotrexate dosing and effects for Burkitt lymphoma in Malawi
This study is looking to make treatments better for kids and young adults with Burkitt lymphoma by testing the safest dose of a chemotherapy drug called methotrexate and finding out how it works in the body, all while keeping an eye on how patients feel during treatment.
-
Investigating methotrexate dosing and side effects for Burkitt lymphoma in Malawi
This study is looking to make treatments better for kids and young adults with Burkitt lymphoma in Sub-Saharan Africa by testing the safest dose of a chemotherapy drug called methotrexate and finding out how it works in the body, while also listening to patients about any side effects they experience.
-
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A patient-centered study to uncover social and care factors that contribute to lower survival among Black and Hispanic people with Hodgkin lymphoma across all ages.
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This grant tests a targeted approach to stop follicular lymphoma from getting worse or turning into a more aggressive cancer.
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.