Biomarkers to tailor liver transplant immunosuppression
Official title: Utility of Biomarkers of Rejection and Kidney Injury in Tailoring Liver Transplant Immunosuppression
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11412569 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multi-center study using blood biomarkers to guide how immunosuppressive drugs are given to liver transplant patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 6, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $377,553 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AI163081-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11412569 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who have received a liver transplant and are undergoing immunosuppressive therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing biomarker-guided management or those without post-transplant immunosuppression-related concerns may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project will follow liver transplant patients over time to see if measuring specific blood biomarkers can help personalize immunosuppressive therapy. By comparing standard care with biomarker-guided management, researchers aim to reduce rejection and kidney injury while keeping drug exposure effective. The study builds on prior CTOT-14 findings and uses modern biomarker platforms to track immune activation and organ injury. If successful, this approach could lead to more precise treatment and better long-term outcomes for patients. The trial is conducted across multiple centers with Northwestern University coordinating the effort.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more personalized immunosuppression, potentially reducing rejection and kidney injury and improving transplant outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior biomarker studies suggest promise, and this trial tests whether biomarker-guided care improves outcomes in a real-world setting.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Boike, Justin — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Boike, Justin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Using blood biomarkers to guide immunosuppression after liver transplant
This project uses regular blood biomarker checks to help doctors personalize immunosuppression for people who have had a liver transplant to reduce rejection and protect the kidneys.
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Using blood biomarkers to improve liver transplant immunosuppression
This study is looking at how certain blood tests can help doctors create personalized treatment plans for people who have received a liver transplant, making it easier to prevent rejection and protect kidney health.
-
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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Improving liver transplant success by targeting immune cells in donor livers
This study is looking at a new way to improve liver transplants by changing certain immune cells in the liver before it's transplanted, which could help prevent the body from rejecting the new liver, making it better for patients who need a transplant.
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Using miRNA profiles to improve immunosuppression management in liver transplant patients
This study is looking at how certain tiny molecules in your blood can help doctors better manage the medications you take after a liver transplant, making sure your body doesn’t reject the new organ while reducing side effects.
-
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.
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.