| Grant ID | RP200093 |
| Awarded On | February 19, 2020 |
| Title | Targeting Multiple Myeloma Stem Cell Niche |
| Program | Academic Research |
| Award Mechanism | Individual Investigator |
| Institution/Organization | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston |
| Principal Investigator/Program Director | Nami McCarty |
| Cancer Sites | Myeloma |
| Contracted Amount | $900,000 |
| Lay Summary |
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant B cell cancer. MM cells often elude chemotherapy and other targeted therapies by localizing to the bone marrow and entering a quiescent state. We have discovered a novel enzyme called TRIM44 that promotes MM localization and dormancy in the bone marrow and facilitates therapy resistance. In this project, we will analyze how TRIM44 contributes to MM localization and survival and develop ways to circumvent resistance to therapies. The long-term goals are to establish TRIM44 as a new therapeutic target and ultimately develop inhibitors to kill MM cells in the bone marrow and improve clinical outcomes. |