A vaccine to prevent cytomegalovirus infection in liver transplant candidates
Official title: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Vaccine in Orthotopic Liver Transplant candidates (COLT)
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11092758 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new vaccine called Triplex to help protect people waiting for a liver transplant from getting a virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV), especially those who haven't been exposed to it before and are getting organs from donors who have; the goal is to boost their immune system so they can better fight off the virus after their transplant.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 26, 2021 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $3,209,830 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AI163090-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11092758 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are liver transplant candidates who are CMV seronegative and are receiving organs from CMV seropositive donors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are already CMV seropositive or those who are not candidates for liver transplantation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a vaccine to protect liver transplant candidates from cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, particularly those who are seronegative and receive organs from seropositive donors. The vaccine, called Triplex, aims to enhance the immune response against CMV by inducing specific T cells that can recognize and fight the virus. By improving immunity before transplantation, the study seeks to reduce the incidence of CMV disease and the reliance on antiviral therapies, which can have significant side effects. Participants will be monitored for their immune response and the effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing CMV infection post-transplant.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the risk of CMV infection in liver transplant recipients, leading to better health outcomes and reduced need for antiviral medications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success with similar vaccine approaches in other transplant populations, indicating potential for this strategy in liver transplant candidates.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Limaye, Abhijit Prakash — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Limaye, Abhijit Prakash
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Innate and Adaptive Immunoregulation in Liver Transplant Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
A liver transplant-focused project investigates how the body’s early and later immune responses affect transplant failure or success after reperfusion.
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Biomarker-guided reduction of immunosuppression after liver transplant
A multicenter trial tests whether using blood biomarkers to guide tapering of immunosuppression in adults with liver transplants can keep people healthy while lowering drug exposure.
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Understanding how liver disease progresses in people waiting for a liver transplant
A study will build a knowledge base that maps how liver disease worsens over time in patients on the transplant waitlist to improve care and planning.
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Biomarkers to tailor liver transplant immunosuppression
A multi-center study using blood biomarkers to guide how immunosuppressive drugs are given to liver transplant patients.
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Pre-Transplant Immune Health Marker Panel to Predict Liver Transplant Outcomes
A patient-facing biomarker test used before liver transplant to help doctors estimate the risk of early death after the transplant.
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Thinking skills and self-care after a liver transplant
This project follows people who received liver transplants to learn how changes in thinking and memory affect managing medicines, clinic visits, and overall health.
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.