Understanding WASp in T-cell Lymphoma
WASp signaling in T-cell lymphomas
This project aims to understand how a protein called WASp contributes to the growth of T-cell lymphomas, a serious type of blood cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11136442 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
T-cell lymphomas are aggressive cancers with limited treatment options and a poor outlook. We know that a cell's internal "skeleton," called the actin cytoskeleton, is important for these cancers to grow, but we don't fully understand how. Our early findings suggest that a protein called WASp helps T-cell lymphoma cells grow and survive, and its presence is linked to worse outcomes. This project will use a special mouse model that develops T-cell lymphomas and also study samples from over 100 patients to learn more about WASp's role. We hope to discover how WASp helps cancer cells communicate and grow, and how the environment around the tumor influences this process.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with peripheral T-cell lymphomas could potentially benefit from future treatments developed from this fundamental understanding of the disease.
Not a fit: Patients with other types of cancer or those without T-cell lymphomas would likely not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new ways to target WASp or related pathways, leading to more effective treatments for T-cell lymphomas.
How similar studies have performed: While the general role of the actin cytoskeleton in T-cell lymphomas is emerging, the specific role of WASp as an actionable target is still being defined, building on preliminary findings.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, UNITED STATES
- University of Illinois at Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Murga-Zamalloa, Carlos a. — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Murga-Zamalloa, Carlos a.
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 below.