Osteocytes and bone disease in Multiple Myeloma: targeting local FGF23 to slow cancer and improve bone health
Official title: Contribution of osteocytes to the musculoskeletal effects of Multiple Myeloma
Funded at Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis · NIH-11359672 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores whether blocking a bone-cell signal (FGF23) produced by osteocytes can slow multiple myeloma growth and reduce bone damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 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 | March 15, 2017 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $454,799 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA209882-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11359672 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with or at risk for multiple myeloma with bone disease could benefit from advances arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
This specific basic and preclinical work may not benefit individuals who do not have multiple myeloma or related bone disease.
What this research studies
In people with multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells grow in the bone marrow and cause bone loss and fractures. The project looks at osteocytes, bone cells that may send signals helping the cancer grow and bones break down. By testing whether reducing FGF23 signaling near tumors can shrink the cancer, protect bone, and make treatments work better, researchers aim for a new approach to therapy. The work involves preclinical study of how osteocyte signals influence the tumor environment and treatment responses. Success could point to a new strategy to improve outcomes for patients with myeloma and bone disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to therapies that slow myeloma growth and lessen bone damage, potentially improving quality of life and treatment responses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests osteocyte signals influence tumor growth and bone remodeling, supporting the potential of targeting this pathway, though direct human trials are not yet established.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
Little Rock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Delgado-Calle, Jesus — Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
- Study coordinator: Delgado-Calle, Jesus
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Integrative study of multiple myeloma genetics and 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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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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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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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.