Why some blood cancer cells survive after treatment by resisting natural killer cells
Official title: Mechanisms of natural killer cell resistance of treatment-persistent residual tumor cells in hematologic malignancies
Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-11473571 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work is trying to understand why leftover blood cancer cells in leukemia and multiple myeloma survive treatment by escaping natural killer immune cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $9,990 |
| NIH project number | 3R01CA276156-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11473571 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people with acute myeloid leukemia or multiple myeloma who have been treated and have minimal residual disease or who are willing to donate blood or bone marrow samples for research.
✕Less likely to help
People without blood cancers or those seeking an immediate treatment benefit should not expect direct clinical help from this laboratory-focused research.
What this research studies
If you've had treatment for acute myeloid leukemia or multiple myeloma, researchers are studying the small number of cancer cells that can survive therapy and later cause relapse. They will work with patient-derived samples and laboratory cell models and use genetic tools such as CRISPR and pooled screens to find the genes that let these cells hide from natural killer (NK) immune cells. The team is looking at a low-Myc, dormant cell state that helps cells persist and how that state changes the cells' visibility to NK cells. The goal is to identify targets that could help the immune system or new drugs clear these leftover cancer cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new ways to help the immune system or drugs eliminate residual blood cancer cells and lower the chance of relapse.
How similar studies have gone: Early laboratory studies and genetic screens have identified related dormant cell states and candidate genes that affect NK cell responses, but translating those findings into treatments is still new.
Where this research is happening
-
Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mitsiades, Constantine S. — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Mitsiades, Constantine S.
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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.