Why some mantle cell lymphomas respond to Notch-blocking drugs
Official title: Epigenetic Mechanisms Underpinning Mantle Cell Lymphoma Sensitivity and Resistance to Notch Inhibitors
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11306635 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at DNA regulatory changes to understand why some mantle cell lymphomas respond to drugs that block Notch while others resist them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $418,860 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA248041-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11306635 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with mantle cell lymphoma or related small B cell lymphomas, especially tumors known to carry activating Notch mutations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without Notch mutations or those seeking immediate treatment benefits may not gain direct benefit from this research right away.
What this research studies
This project focuses on mantle cell lymphoma and related small B cell lymphomas that carry activating Notch mutations. Scientists will use tumor samples and advanced lab methods — including chromatin conformation capture (3C), single-cell genomics, and genome editing — to map how Notch changes control gene enhancers and signaling pathways. They will compare cells that are sensitive or resistant to Notch inhibitors to identify the DNA regulatory changes tied to drug response. The work combines patient-derived samples with laboratory models to find markers that could guide better targeted treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help predict who will benefit from Notch-blocking therapies and suggest new combination treatments for mantle cell lymphoma.
How similar studies have gone: Notch inhibitors and genomic profiling have shown promise in early research, but using chromatin conformation and single-cell methods to explain resistance is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Faryabi, Robert Babak — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Faryabi, Robert Babak
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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.