APOLLO: Understanding APOL1 and Kidney Transplant Outcomes in African American Patients
Official title: 8/14 APOL1 Long-term Kidney Transplantation Outcomes Network (APOLLO) Clinical Center
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11373092 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how APOL1 genetic variants in African American donors and recipients affect kidney transplant survival and donor health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | September 25, 2017 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $10 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DK116099-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11373092 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients receiving kidney transplants or considering living or deceased donor kidneys, especially African American individuals and those with APOL1 risk variants.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without African American donor/recipient involvement or APOL1 risk considerations may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
If you or a loved one is receiving a kidney transplant, this program looks at how genetic factors common in African American people influence transplant outcomes and kidney donor safety. It uses data from multiple transplant centers to track long-term results, aiming to identify why kidneys from African American donors may have different survival rates. The study builds on a first phase that enrolled hundreds of recipients to examine APOL1 risk variants and their impact. By following patients over time, researchers hope to uncover actionable insights to improve matching, care, and long-term success after transplant.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of APOL1-related risks could lead to improved donor selection, targeted post-transplant care, and longer kidney graft survival for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous findings link APOL1 variants to higher risk of transplant loss, suggesting this line of research may yield meaningful improvements.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pastan, Stephen — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Pastan, Stephen
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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.