Targeting MALT1 to Strengthen Anti-Lymphoma Immunity and Boost Immunotherapy
Official title: Targeting MALT1 to Enhance Anti-Lymphoma Immunity and Response to Immunotherapy
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11408434 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to improve treatment for a common type of B-cell lymphoma by blocking a specific protein (MALT1) to enhance the body's immune attack and response to existing therapies.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $732,801 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA282889-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11408434 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma or related B-cell lymphomas who could be eligible for future immune-based treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without DLBCL or those unlikely to respond to MALT1-targeted strategies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a tough form of B-cell cancer, and tests whether inhibiting MALT1 can disrupt cancer-driving signals. By using mouse models that mimic human disease and collaborating with prior human data, the team will explore how MALT1 inhibition can both slow tumor growth and empower immune cells to fight cancer. The goal is to identify a strategy that makes current immunotherapies work better for patients with aggressive DLBCL, including those with resistant disease. The research will translate findings toward precision medicine approaches tailored to the biology of each patient’s lymphoma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with DLBCL could experience stronger immune responses and improved effectiveness of immunotherapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that targeting MALT1 can disrupt pro-lymphoma signals and has informed early human testing, suggesting potential but still exploratory benefits.
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.
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Seeing if drugs that block a protein called MALT1 can help the immune system and improve immunotherapy for adults with aggressive diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma (DLBCL).
-
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This research looks for new ways to treat mantle cell lymphoma, especially for patients whose current medications are not working well.
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.