Understanding how CD56 helps multiple myeloma grow and hide from the immune system
Official title: Investigating CD56 signaling in multiple myeloma growth and immune escape
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-11395223 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research program to learn why a protein called CD56 helps multiple myeloma progress and avoid immune attack, with the goal of developing new ways to slow or stop the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 9, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $253,208 |
| NIH project number | 5K08CA263476-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11395223 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with multiple myeloma, particularly those who express CD56 on their cancer cells, may be most relevant for related clinical applications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without CD56-expressing myeloma or those not eligible for future targeted strategies may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on understanding how CD56 contributes to multiple myeloma growth, resistance to treatments, and evasion of natural killer cells. The work will explore the cellular pathways and oxidative stress factors connected to CD56 and test strategies to promote CD56 degradation. It builds on prior promising data and aims to identify targets that could make existing therapies work better and help patients live longer. The research is led by Dr. Francesca Cottini at Ohio State University with a plan to translate findings toward tailored therapies for myeloma patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new treatment approaches that slow myeloma growth and improve response to existing therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest CD56 plays a role in myeloma growth and immune evasion, supporting further work in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cottini, Francesca — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Cottini, Francesca
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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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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BCMA CAR-T enteritis: understanding immune toxicities in multiple myeloma
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.