Targeting MALT1 in African American adults with diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma
Official title: MALT1 as a rational therapeutic target in African American ancestry patients with DLBCL
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11187680 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is developing MALT1‑blocking drugs to help African American adults with aggressive or treatment‑resistant diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 14, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $254,250 |
| NIH project number | 3R01CA282889-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11187680 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults of African American ancestry with diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma, especially those with relapsed or refractory disease or tumors showing MCD features (MYD88 and CD79B mutations).
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other lymphoma subtypes, without MCD‑related mutations, or who cannot receive targeted therapies may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
I have aggressive diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and this work focuses on a protein called MALT1 that helps some tumor cells and immune cells survive. Researchers will use laboratory models that mimic a genetic subtype of DLBCL (MCD) and test selective MALT1 inhibitors that have already been developed. They will study how blocking MALT1 affects tumor growth and the immune cells that normally fight cancer, including regulatory and exhausted T cells. The findings are intended to point toward treatments that make these tumors more responsive to therapy and inform future clinical trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could slow tumor growth, reduce immune suppression around the cancer, and lead to new targeted options for patients with resistant DLBCL.
How similar studies have gone: Selective MALT1 inhibitors have shown promising results in lab studies and early‑phase human trials, but their effectiveness in DLBCL remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zappasodi, Roberta — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Zappasodi, Roberta
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Translating Genomics to Practice to Overcome Disparities in DLBCL
A patient-focused project aims to understand why diffuse large B-cell lymphoma outcomes differ among people and how genomic information can guide better care for diverse groups.
-
Enhancing CART-T therapy for B-cell lymphoma with longer-lasting IL-7/IL-15/IL-21 support
This grant tests a new treatment approach that combines CAR-T cells for large B-cell lymphoma with a long-acting growth factor cocktail to help the CAR-T cells expand and persist.
-
How Epstein-Barr virus contributes to aggressive B‑cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
This work looks at how Epstein‑Barr virus affects certain types of diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma (DLBCL) to find new treatment targets for people with DLBCL, including those living with HIV.
-
Using lymphoma's own faulty proteins to trigger self‑destruction in diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma
New small molecules aim to bring lymphoma's abnormal proteins to the right DNA switches so diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma cells turn on self‑destruct genes.
-
Analyzing genetic mutations in cancer to improve treatment
This study is looking at the genetic changes that cause cancer to help doctors find better, personalized treatments for cancer patients like you.
-
Targeting EBV-related lymphoma with a new medicine
This project is developing a new medicine to help people with a type of lymphoma caused by the Epstein-Barr virus.
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.