# Project 3: Defining the biologic role and therapeutic implications of lncRNA in multiple myeloma

> **NIH NIH P01** · DANA-FARBER CANCER INST · 2024 · $240,658

## Abstract

Project Summary – Project 3 Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Our longstanding focus has been to understand the multiple myeloma (MM)-bone marrow stromal cell
interaction. We have utilized integrated genomic and epigenomic analysis and our in vitro and in vivo models of
MM cell in the bone marrow (BM) milieu to identify molecular targets and pathways supporting myeloma cell
growth, survival, and drug resistance, and implement effective molecularly-based therapies with dramatic effects
on the survival of MM patients. During the current funding period, we identified and validated
gene regulatory networks and feed-forward loops controlling gene transcription and driving disease
behavior and then evaluated targeted agents. In the process we identified the noncoding RNA
(lncRNA) networks in MM. One of the emerging areas of research has been the recent advances
highlighting the functional significance of lncRNAs) that span > 80% of the human genome. These RNA
molecules control a variety of cellular and molecular functions via mechanisms that are yet not well
described. We have previously described the aberrant lncRNA landscape in MM and reported the significant
role of aberrant lncRNAs as an independent risk predictor for clinical outcome, providing the rationale to
further investigate biological and molecular activity of lncRNAs in MM. We hypothesize that dysregulated
lncRNAs significantly impact the pathobiology of MM by their ability to control multiple genes, with the potential
to serve as therapeutic targets. In this project, our robust human MM model systems will be used to stringently
validate the role of novel lncRNAs (Sp. Aim 1) identified to be of biologic/prognostic significance; and develop
single and combination therapies directed against these clinically and biologically relevant novel lncRNAs
(Sp. Aim 2). Leveraging our genomic and transcriptomic data, the proposed studies will define the functional
landscape of lncRNAs in MM and their impact on the disease pathobiology, with the potential of developing
novel translational therapies for the treatment of MM patients.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10894595
- **Project number:** 5P01CA155258-12
- **Recipient organization:** DANA-FARBER CANCER INST
- **Principal Investigator:** KENNETH C. ANDERSON
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $240,658
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2011-12-01 → 2028-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10894595

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10894595, Project 3: Defining the biologic role and therapeutic implications of lncRNA in multiple myeloma (5P01CA155258-12). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10894595. Licensed CC0.

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