Targeting bone-resorbing osteoclasts with cell-specific therapies
Official title: The Regulatory Mechanisms of Osteoclasts
Funded at Hospital for Special Surgery · NIH-11393193 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A doctor-research team is exploring a new way to treat bone diseases by targeting the blood-forming cells that become osteoclasts, aiming to reduce bone loss and side effects for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hospital for Special Surgery NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $420,100 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR086176-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393193 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or lytic bone metastasis who may benefit from improved bone-preserving therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions not related to bone loss or those who cannot provide blood samples may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project focuses on osteoclasts, the cells that break down bone, and how to keep them from causing problems in conditions like osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers will study circulating precursor cells (cOCPs) to understand how they turn into osteoclasts and how this process might be stopped with targeted therapies. The work includes analyzing human blood samples to identify distinctive markers and communication signals that tie cOCPs to bone density, with the goal of creating safer, more precise treatments. By focusing on the cell-specific pathways, the team hopes to lower adverse effects and improve patient adherence to therapies over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to safer, more targeted treatments that reduce bone loss while minimizing side effects and improving quality of life for people with bone diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that targeting specific bone-resorbing pathways can reduce osteoclast activity, but this project seeks a more precise, cell-level approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Hospital for Special Surgery
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Park-Min, Kyung-Hyun — Hospital for Special Surgery
- Study coordinator: Park-Min, Kyung-Hyun
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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.