NIH-funded research R01 grant

Understanding how different CALR mutations drive certain blood cancers

Official title: The Pathophysiology of Type 1 Versus Type 2 Mutant Calreticulin-Drivenmyeloproliferative Neoplasms

Funded at Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · NIH-11393750 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This grant explores how two CALR mutation types cause myeloproliferative neoplasms and could lead to better treatments for people with these blood cancers.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUtah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Salt Lake City, United States)
Project startAugust 1, 2024
Project endAugust 31, 2027
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$455,497
NIH project number5R01HL165119-05
Project IDNIH-11393750 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Patients with CALR-mutant myeloproliferative neoplasms may be eligible for future studies or trials related to this work.

Less likely to help

Patients without CALR-mutant MPNs may not benefit from these findings.

What this research studies

Researchers will study how type 1 and type 2 CALR mutations alter cell signaling and blood cell production in myeloproliferative neoplasms. The work focuses on the CALR protein’s interaction with the MPL receptor and resulting JAK/STAT signaling, seeking clues that could point to new therapies. The project is based at the University of Utah and aims to translate molecular findings into strategies that could slow disease progression for patients with PMF, ET, or PV.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new therapeutic targets that may slow or halt disease progression for people with CALR-mutant MPNs.

How similar studies have gone: Other CALR-focused research has begun to differentiate type 1 and type 2 mutation effects, with promising directions but no definitive cures yet.

Where this research is happening

  • Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
    Salt Lake City, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Elf, Shannon Elisabeth — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
  • Study coordinator: Elf, Shannon Elisabeth

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Biomarker clues to catch pancreatic cancer early in cysts

    A study from UC San Diego is testing blood and cyst-fluid markers to help tell high-risk pancreatic cysts from low-risk ones so that people with pancreatic cysts can get the right care sooner.

    NIH research University of California, San Diego · La Jolla, United States · NIH-11420592

  • Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Research Consortium

    A large research collaboration across multiple centers aims to improve survival for patients with myelofibrosis and related myeloproliferative neoplasms through coordinated laboratory, translational, and clinical work.

    NIH research Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · New York, United States · NIH-11399011

  • Cell Competition in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

    This NIH grant explores how healthy and mutant blood stem cells interact in certain blood cancers to understand why some patients progress and how future therapies might help.

    NIH research State University New York Stony Brook · Stony Brook, United States · NIH-11380052

  • Targeting ERK’s brake pedals to slow cancer progression

    Aims to block the parts of ERK signaling that speed up cancer progression, by guiding drugs to the substrate-binding domains that act like accelerator pedals in myeloproliferative neoplasms and related cancers.

    NIH research Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr · Philadelphia, United States · NIH-11364927

  • Biomarker work to predict pancreatic IPMN cancer risk

    A Duke University researcher is testing biomarkers to tell which pancreatic IPMN cysts are likely to become invasive cancer.

    NIH research Duke University · Durham, United States · NIH-11361607

  • Understanding how inflammation and biology drive blood cancer evolution

    A large, multi-project program at Washington University is exploring how inflammatory signals and cell-intrinsic factors work together to drive progression of myeloproliferative neoplasms in people.

    NIH research Washington University · Saint Louis, United States · NIH-11348769

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.