Why diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma acts differently in older adults
Project 3 Cerchietti
This project looks at whether normal age-related changes in B cells help cause more aggressive diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma in people aged 75 and older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11167649 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are 75 or older and have DLBCL, the team will compare your tumor and blood samples to those from younger patients to look for age-linked epigenetic changes. They will focus on MYD88 mutations and changes in the B‑cell receptor pathway and use laboratory models to see how these genetic events interact with aging-related epigenetic marks. Researchers will also study the tumor microenvironment, including inflammatory cells, to understand why older patients respond less well to chemoimmunotherapy. The work combines analysis of national patient cohorts, tissue and blood samples, and lab experiments to link patient findings to possible treatment targets.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people aged 75 or older diagnosed with diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma who can provide clinical information and tumor or blood samples.
Not a fit: People under 75, those with other lymphoma types, or patients unable to provide tissue or blood samples are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new treatments or ways to personalize therapy that improve outcomes for people 75 and older with DLBCL.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked MYD88 and BCR pathway changes to DLBCL and noted worse outcomes in older patients, but applying aging-related epigenetics to explain and target these differences is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cerchietti, Leandro C — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Cerchietti, Leandro C
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.