Understanding how bone marrow fat cells influence multiple myeloma progression
Official title: Research Specialist Support for Defining the Roles of Bone Marrow Adipocytes and FABP4/5 Signaling in Multiple Myeloma
Funded at Mainehealth · NIH-11381214 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-facing overview of a grant studying how fat cells in the bone marrow interact with multiple myeloma cells and affect disease behavior.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mainehealth NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | August 12, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $99,576 |
| NIH project number | 5R50CA265331-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381214 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideally individuals with multiple myeloma or those at risk who may benefit from future targeted therapies tied to bone marrow fat signaling.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not receiving a myeloma diagnosis or who are not candidates for bone marrow–targeted therapies may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses advanced 3D lab models to study the interactions between fat cells in the bone marrow and myeloma cancer cells. By focusing on signaling proteins FABP4 and FABP5, researchers hope to uncover new ways that the tumor communicates with its environment. The goal is to identify vulnerable points that could lead to better therapies for people with multiple myeloma. The work involves lab studies with human-derived cells and tissue-like models to mirror how the disease behaves in patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could reveal new targets for therapy to overcome drug resistance and slow myeloma progression.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary lab findings show bone marrow fat cells can influence myeloma cell behavior, with 3D models supporting this interaction, suggesting potential for new therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
Mainehealth
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Campbell, Heather F — Mainehealth
- Study coordinator: Campbell, Heather F
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Integrative study of multiple myeloma genetics and disease biology
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Comparative Modeling to Prevent, Detect Early, and Treat Multiple Myeloma
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How LDL Affects Multiple Myeloma: New Pathways to Keep Remission
A new grant is studying how cholesterol from LDL particles fuels multiple myeloma and how this interaction influences the tumor environment and immune response, with goals to help patients stay in remission.
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Therapy-induced senescence and immune activation in multiple myeloma
A study in people with multiple myeloma will explore how treatment-related senescence in cancer cells may stimulate the immune system and affect cancer return after standard frontline therapy.
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A broad study to uncover why some CAR-T cell treatments targeting BCMA cause severe intestinal inflammation in people with multiple myeloma.
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Understanding Drug-Resistant Multiple Myeloma to Stop Relapse
Researchers are studying why some myeloma cells resist treatment and how to create new therapies to prevent relapse.
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.