Targeting a protein called HSP70 in T-cell lymphomas
Official title: Role of Heat Shock Protein 70 as a Mediator and Therapeutic Target in T-cell Lymphomas
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11124687 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is developing a new drug to specifically target and treat aggressive T-cell lymphomas, which are types of blood cancer that currently have limited treatment options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | July 20, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $483,912 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA266612-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11124687 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is foundational for patients diagnosed with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) or cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), especially those whose disease has relapsed or is advanced.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of lymphoma or cancers not expressing the HSP70 protein targeted by this specific drug may not directly benefit from this particular approach.
What this research studies
T-cell lymphomas are challenging blood cancers where patients often have poor outcomes because new treatments haven't advanced as quickly as for other lymphomas. Our team looked closely at the surface of T-cell lymphoma cells and found a protein called Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) that is highly present on these cancer cells but not on healthy T-cells. We then created a special antibody that can recognize this HSP70 protein and attached a powerful drug to it, forming an "antibody-drug conjugate." This new drug is designed to specifically deliver the medicine to the cancer cells, aiming to stop their growth more effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this new antibody-drug conjugate could offer a much-needed, more targeted treatment option for patients with aggressive T-cell lymphomas.
How similar studies have gone: This project involves developing a novel antibody-drug conjugate specifically targeting HSP70 on T-cell lymphoma cells, building on the success of similar targeted therapies in other cancers.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Orlowski, Robert Zygmunt — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Orlowski, Robert Zygmunt
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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.