Biomarker-guided changes in kidney transplant immunosuppression
Official title: Assessment of Biomarker Guided CNI Substitution in Kidney Transplantation
Funded at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · NIH-11406938 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether a biomarker score from donor and recipient immune markers can guide safer, personalized immunosuppression after kidney transplant.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $4,819,483 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AI170424-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11406938 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who have received a kidney transplant and are on immunosuppressive therapy, with biomarker data available or obtainable.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to participating centers or who do not have the biomarker profile studied may not benefit.
What this research studies
In kidney transplant patients, current immunosuppression is broadly similar for many people, which can lead to over-immunosuppression and drug toxicities. The study will use the HLA-DR/DQ molecular mismatch score to identify patients at higher risk of rejection and immune-related injury. It includes a multicenter observational component and a nested randomized trial to see if adjusting therapy based on the biomarker improves outcomes. Researchers will collect biomarker data, monitor rejection risk, and test treatment changes in a controlled way. The goal is to tailor immunosuppression to each patient’s biological risk rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more personalized immunosuppression with fewer side effects and better graft survival.
How similar studies have gone: Prior retrospective work linked the biomarker score to rejection risk, but this trial tests prospective use and treatment changes.
Where this research is happening
-
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heeger, Peter Scott — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Heeger, Peter Scott
Related research
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Biomarker-guided Immunosuppression in Kidney Transplant Patients
A multicenter study in kidney transplant recipients is testing whether a biomarker score from HLA-DR/DQ can guide changes in immunosuppression to reduce rejection risk and drug toxicity.
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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.