Understanding why BTK inhibitors stop working in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Official title: Understanding mechanisms of BTK inhibitor and degrader resistance in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Funded at University of Miami School of Medicine · NIH-11355604 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying why some people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia stop benefiting from BTK inhibitors and how to overcome that resistance.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,053,393 |
| NIH project number | 4R01CA292653-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11355604 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with CLL or related B-cell malignancies who may harbor BTK or PLCG2 mutations or who have shown resistance to BTK inhibitors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without BTK-related resistance mechanisms or those not undergoing BTK inhibitor therapy may have limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
In this project, doctors will study patients’ cancer cells to uncover why BTK inhibitors lose effectiveness, especially when resistance develops. They will examine signaling pathways in mutant BTK cells and see how surrogate kinases might take over when BTK is impaired. The team will also test whether BTK is still needed for survival in cells with PLCG2 mutations and identify genetic changes that lead to resistance to BTK degraders. The goal is to design better combination treatments or new drugs to help patients who relapse or don’t respond initially. This work leverages patient samples and laboratory studies to inform future therapies for CLL and related B-cell malignancies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to more durable responses and better combination therapies for patients with CLL and other B-cell cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have identified resistance mechanisms in BTK inhibitors, but this project aims to map them in detail and guide new strategies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Miami School of Medicine
Coral Gables, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Taylor, Justin — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Taylor, Justin
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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.