Targeting pathways to improve treatment for Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Official title: Targeting PANoptotic pathways for Myelodysplastic Syndromes treatment
Funded at Loyola University Chicago · NIH-11108604 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at new ways to treat Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) by understanding how certain pathways in our cells affect blood production and could lead to leukemia, with the hope of finding better treatments to help improve your symptoms and overall health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Loyola University Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Maywood, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $344,111 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA301049-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11108604 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndromes, particularly those experiencing severe symptoms related to low blood cell counts.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with MDS who do not have mutations in the relevant pathways or those with advanced stages of acute myeloid leukemia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS), a group of diseases caused by abnormal blood cell production from mutated stem cells in the bone marrow. The study aims to explore new treatment strategies that target PANoptotic pathways, which are involved in cell death and survival. By understanding how these pathways affect blood cell production and the progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the research seeks to develop more effective therapies that can alleviate symptoms and improve patient outcomes. Patients with MDS often experience severe symptoms due to low blood cell counts, and this research could lead to innovative treatments that address the root causes of the disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for MDS, potentially reducing symptoms and preventing the progression to acute myeloid leukemia.
How similar studies have gone: While targeting apoptosis pathways is a novel approach, early clinical trials with splice inhibitors have shown promising results in similar patient populations.
Where this research is happening
-
Loyola University Chicago
Maywood, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Jiwang — Loyola University Chicago
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Jiwang
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Interferon-γ plus donor immune cells to fight AML/MDS after partial donor transplant
This project tests a therapy that adds a signaling protein, IFN-γ, with donor immune cells to help treat relapsed AML/MDS after a haploidentical stem cell transplant.
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Whole-genome sequencing to refine risk in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) for older adults
This project uses clinical whole-genome sequencing to improve genetic profiling and better predict how MDS will progress in older patients.
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Targeting gasdermin D to treat myelodysplastic syndromes in people with bone marrow inflammation
A research project aims to find new ways to treat myelodysplastic syndromes by blocking a protein (gasdermin D) involved in harmful bone marrow inflammation.
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Understanding why some MDS patients relapse after a stem cell transplant
A study of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes after stem cell transplant to learn the cellular changes and gene activity that lead to relapse, with the goal of guiding future treatments.
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Risk factors and inflammation biomarkers for cardiovascular disease in older adults with myelodysplastic syndromes
A study focuses on older adults with myelodysplastic syndromes to understand why they have higher cardiovascular risk and how inflammatory proteins in the blood might help predict it.
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Therapeutic targeting of transcription-epigenetic defects in SF3B1-mutant MDS
A training-focused grant to help a clinician-scientist develop therapies for adults with a common bone marrow failure condition called SF3B1-mutant myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).
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.