Targeting specific signals to treat Schwannomatosis and its pain
Official title: Co-Targeting IL-6 and EGFRsignaling for the Treatment of Schwannomatosis and Associated Pain
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10991837 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at Schwannomatosis, a condition that causes painful tumors on nerves, and aims to find new treatments by using cells from patients to understand the pain better and test ways to reduce it and stop the tumors from growing, with the hope that patients can eventually join clinical trials for these new therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $429,559 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS126187-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10991837 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are individuals diagnosed with Schwannomatosis who experience chronic pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a diagnosis of Schwannomatosis or those whose pain is not related to this condition may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the genetic disorder Schwannomatosis, which leads to the growth of non-cancerous tumors on nerves and causes severe chronic pain. The study aims to develop new treatments by using patient-derived cell models to better understand the mechanisms of pain associated with these tumors. By targeting specific inflammatory signals, such as IL-6, the research seeks to find effective therapies that could alleviate pain and potentially halt tumor growth. Patients may be involved in clinical trials that test these novel approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide new, non-invasive treatment options for patients suffering from Schwannomatosis and its associated pain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting inflammatory pathways for pain relief, suggesting that this approach could be effective for Schwannomatosis as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xu, Lei — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Xu, Lei
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.