Stopping MGUS from turning into blood cancer
Cancer Prevention-Interception Against MGUS Progression
This project works to prevent people with MGUS from developing blood cancers by targeting the abnormal M protein and the bone marrow environment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11171631 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers at Baylor and partner centers are building a dedicated center and network focused on MGUS. They will study patient blood and bone marrow samples, lab models, and the immune environment to find molecules and pathways that drive progression. The team will use those findings to develop precision prevention strategies and early-phase interventions for people at higher risk. The center will coordinate collaborative research, biomarker discovery, and clinical efforts to bring prevention options to people living with MGUS.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults diagnosed with MGUS, especially those under active follow-up or who have biomarkers suggesting higher risk of progression, are the main candidates.
Not a fit: People without MGUS or those whose condition has already progressed to overt blood cancer would not benefit from prevention-focused activities in this center.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lower the number of people with MGUS who later develop incurable blood cancers by identifying and blocking early drivers of progression.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has identified risk markers and small pilot approaches, but large-scale precision prevention specifically aimed at stopping MGUS progression is still largely new.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Yong — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Li, Yong
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.