Spatial immune cell maps for aggressive B‑cell lymphoma
Spatially resolved, single cell biomarkers of B cell lymphoma
Researchers are using advanced single‑cell imaging to map cancer and immune cells in aggressive B‑cell lymphomas to find markers that could help guide treatment for adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11160592 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's view, this project looks closely at individual cells and their locations in tumor tissue from over 2,000 cases of aggressive B‑cell lymphoma. The team will validate spatial protein markers linked to outcomes in about 830 patients and search for shared tumor‑microenvironment patterns across roughly 1,380 cases. They will also use lab models to test which immune or support cells drive chemotherapy resistance or affect response to immune therapies. The researchers combine a new M‑score with high‑plex imaging to connect cell neighborhoods with prognosis and treatment response.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) with aggressive B‑cell lymphomas such as diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma, especially those able to provide tumor tissue or linked clinical records, are the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without B‑cell lymphoma or those who cannot provide tumor samples or clinical follow‑up data are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could produce biomarkers that help predict prognosis and personalize choices about immunotherapy or chemotherapy for people with aggressive B‑cell lymphoma.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research shows tumor microenvironment features can predict lymphoma outcomes, but applying large‑scale, multiplexed spatial single‑cell imaging across thousands of cases is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Merchant, Akil — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Merchant, Akil
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 below.