Boosting immune response to treat alcoholic liver disease
Official title: Activation of NK cell-mediated protective immunity for the systemic treatment of ALD
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-10453261 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to boost your immune system to better fight alcoholic liver disease by helping special immune cells called NK cells attack the damaged liver cells caused by drinking too much alcohol, and it’s for anyone interested in new treatment options for this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 11, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $435,204 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AA029741-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10453261 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with alcoholic liver disease who have not responded to existing treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with liver disease not related to alcohol consumption may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to enhance the immune system's ability to fight alcoholic liver disease (ALD) by focusing on natural killer (NK) cells. It aims to block certain checkpoints that prevent NK cells from attacking harmful liver cells activated by chronic alcohol consumption. The study will also explore using engineered NK cells and antibody-directed therapies to improve the elimination of these harmful cells. By understanding these mechanisms, the research hopes to develop new treatment strategies for ALD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective new therapies for patients suffering from alcoholic liver disease.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of enhancing NK cell activity is promising, it is still largely untested in the context of alcoholic liver disease, making this research novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Feldman, Douglas Edmund — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Feldman, Douglas Edmund
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.