NIH-funded research R01 grant

Understanding how ULK3 affects multiple myeloma treatment resistance

Official title: Role of ULK3 in Sensitive and Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Funded at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst · NIH-10979173 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at a protein called ULK3 to understand how it helps multiple myeloma cells survive and resist treatments, with the goal of creating new medicines that could work better for patients whose cancer is hard to treat.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Tampa, United States)
Project startDecember 16, 2022
Project endNovember 30, 2027
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$480,943
NIH project number5R01CA269721-03
Project IDNIH-10979173 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma, particularly those who have experienced treatment resistance.

Less likely to help

Patients with early-stage multiple myeloma who have not yet undergone treatment may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of a specific protein, ULK3, in multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer that is often resistant to treatment. By analyzing genetic data from patients, the team aims to uncover how ULK3 contributes to the survival of cancer cells and their resistance to therapies like bortezomib. The researchers are also developing new inhibitors that target ULK3 and other related proteins to improve treatment outcomes for patients with refractory disease. This approach could lead to more effective therapies that provide longer-lasting responses for patients.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that overcome resistance in multiple myeloma, improving survival rates and quality of life for patients.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting similar pathways in cancer treatment, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

  • H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
    Tampa, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Lynch, Conor C — H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
  • Study coordinator: Lynch, Conor C

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • New targeted treatment for relapsed multiple myeloma

    A new drug called KS100 aims to block ALDH enzymes to kill treatment-resistant myeloma cells in people whose disease has returned.

    NIH research Rowan University · Glassboro, United States · NIH-11324662

  • How the protein ULK3 affects treatment‑sensitive and treatment‑resistant multiple myeloma

    This project tries new drugs that block ULK3 and BRD4 to help people with newly diagnosed or treatment‑resistant multiple myeloma.

    NIH research H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst · Tampa, United States · NIH-11233147

  • New treatment approach for hard-to-treat multiple myeloma

    This study is testing a new treatment for multiple myeloma, especially to help African American patients who often face tougher challenges with the disease, by looking at how a special molecule can make current therapies work better against cancer cells that are hard to treat.

    NIH research Rowan University · Glassboro, United States · NIH-11074538

  • New treatment approach for difficult-to-treat multiple myeloma

    This study is testing a new drug called KS18 that aims to help patients with multiple myeloma, especially those whose cancer hasn't responded to other treatments, by working alongside existing therapies to better fight the disease and prevent it from coming back.

    NIH research Rowan University · Glassboro, United States · NIH-10974902

  • Integrative study of multiple myeloma genetics and disease biology

    A team at Dana-Farber and partners is pursuing a long-term project to understand the genetic and molecular drivers of multiple myeloma and how treatments interact with disease biology.

    NIH research Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · Boston, United States · NIH-11535381

  • Comparative Modeling to Prevent, Detect Early, and Treat Multiple Myeloma

    A research team will build and compare computer models to understand how multiple myeloma develops, can be detected earlier, and treated more effectively.

    NIH research Washington University · Saint Louis, United States · NIH-11495288

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.