Understanding how skin cancer-associated fibroblasts affect immune detection in early mycosis fungoides
Official title: Investigating the Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Immunodetection of Mycosis Fungoides
Funded at Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · NIH-11617656 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant investigates how certain skin cells in early mycosis fungoides might help the cancer hide from the immune system, with findings aiming to improve future patient care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duarte, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R00AR084575-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11617656 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with early to progressing mycosis fungoides or MF undergoing tissue sampling, from diverse demographic backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without MF or those not contributing tissue samples may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
The project uses advanced lab methods to study skin samples from MF patients at different stages and backgrounds. Researchers will perform single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial RNA transcriptomics to map CAF subtypes and their locations. They will connect these cellular patterns to how the disease progresses and how patients’ demographics may influence these processes. The training plan includes mentorship and hands-on experience in molecular techniques and computational analysis to translate these insights into potential biomarkers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify reasons why MF advances and reveal targets for therapies that restore immune detection.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show CAFs influence tumor environments, but this project expands to MF with advanced single-cell and spatial methods for diverse populations.
Where this research is happening
-
Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
Duarte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johnson, Courtney Michele — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: Johnson, Courtney Michele
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Microbiome clues to better radiation response in a rare skin lymphoma
Researchers are studying skin lymphoma CTCL to see how the gut and skin bacteria might influence how well radiation therapy works for patients.
-
Identifying a new marker for early diagnosis of a skin cancer called mycosis fungoides
This study is looking at a specific marker in the skin cells of people with early-stage mycosis fungoides, a type of skin cancer, to help doctors find it more easily and provide better treatment for patients.
-
Visible-light activated hypericin ointment for mycosis fungoides
A topical hypericin ointment activated by safe visible light aims to treat skin lesions in people with mycosis fungoides.
-
Understanding how certain cells in skin tumors affect immune response in mycosis fungoides
This study is looking at how certain cells in the skin, called cancer-associated fibroblasts, behave in patients with early-stage mycosis fungoides, a type of skin lymphoma, to help us understand how they might affect the disease and find new ways to treat it.
-
Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) for adults with mycosis fungoides or Sézary syndrome
This project will try Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) in adults with mycosis fungoides or Sézary syndrome who have had at least one prior systemic therapy to see how safe and effective it is in routine care in Korea.
-
Golidocitnib treatment for relapsed indolent T/NK-cell lymphomas
This study is testing if a new oral medication called Golidocitnib can help people with relapsed indolent T/NK-cell lymphomas feel better after other treatments haven't worked.
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.