NIH-funded research R01 grant

Targeting T-cell Signals for Adult T-cell Leukemia Lymphoma

Official title: Inhibition of T-cell Receptor Signaling for Treatment of Adult T-cell Leukemia Lymphoma

Funded at Washington University · NIH-11129773 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This project explores new ways to treat adult T-cell leukemia lymphoma by blocking specific signals within cancer cells.

More Leukemia research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWashington University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Saint Louis, United States)
Project startAugust 15, 2022
Project endJune 30, 2027
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$360,282
NIH project number5R01CA258359-04
Project IDNIH-11129773 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Patients with HTLV-1-associated adult T-cell leukemia lymphoma, particularly those who might be eligible for a Phase 1 clinical trial combining lenalidomide with EPOCH chemotherapy, would be ideal candidates.

Less likely to help

Patients without adult T-cell leukemia lymphoma or those whose cancer does not involve the specific T-cell receptor signaling pathway mutations being targeted may not receive direct benefit from this particular approach.

What this research studies

Adult T-cell leukemia lymphoma (ATLL) is a very serious blood cancer that is often hard to treat with current methods. Researchers have found that ATLL cells often have changes in a specific communication pathway, called the T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling pathway, which helps the cancer grow. This work aims to understand how these changes drive ATLL and if medicines that target this pathway, like lenalidomide, can work better when combined with standard chemotherapy. The goal is to find more effective treatments for this aggressive disease.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to new, more effective treatment options for patients with adult T-cell leukemia lymphoma, potentially improving outcomes where current therapies often fail.

How similar studies have gone: While the specific combination and targeting of this pathway in ATLL is being explored, the concept of targeting specific signaling pathways in cancer has shown success in other types of leukemia and lymphoma.

Where this research is happening

  • Washington University
    Saint Louis, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Ratner, Lee — Washington University
  • Study coordinator: Ratner, Lee

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Bone marrow grafting and cellular therapies for leukemia and lymphoma

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  • Inhibiting T-cell Signaling to Treat Adult ATLL

    A study to test whether blocking T-cell receptor signaling can help treat adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma caused by HTLV-1, potentially improving outcomes for patients.

    NIH research Washington University · Saint Louis, United States · NIH-11360629

  • Understanding EP300 deficiency in ATLL in adults

    This grant explores how loss of EP300 affects an aggressive adult T-cell cancer (ATLL) to identify new ways to help patients.

    NIH research Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · Newark, UNITED STATES · NIH-11270067

  • 3D gene switches in leukemia and lymphoma

    Researchers will map and try to block 3D gene-control hubs that help T-cell leukemia and lymphoma cells grow, aiming to find new ways to help people with these cancers.

    NIH research New York University School of Medicine · New York, United States · NIH-11248036

  • Improving bone marrow transplants and cell therapies for leukemia and lymphoma

    New cell-based treatments and transplant methods aim to make bone marrow transplants safer and help people with leukemia or lymphoma avoid relapse.

    NIH research Stanford University · Stanford, United States · NIH-11197504

  • Understanding the causes of Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma

    This study is looking at Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, a tough cancer that often hits young adults, especially veterans, to find out why some patients don’t respond well to treatment and how we can make those treatments better.

    NIH research Rlr VA Medical Center · Indianapolis, United States · NIH-11098413

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.