CCR5 blocker to prevent early lung graft injury after transplant
Official title: EPIC-LT: Eliminating PGD through Inhibition of CCR5 in Lung Transplantation
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11378032 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A pilot study in people receiving a lung transplant to see if stopping CCR5 with an approved drug called Maraviroc can reduce early graft injury and improve survival.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| 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 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $246,725 |
| NIH project number | 5R34HL177405-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378032 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Eligible patients are adults undergoing lung transplantation who are at risk for PGD and willing to participate in a peri-operative study.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing lung transplantation or those with contraindications to CCR5 inhibitors may not benefit.
What this research studies
Lung transplant patients face early graft injury (PGD) that can limit survival. This project will test whether blocking CCR5, a receptor that helps immune cells reach the lung, is safe and feasible to try before and around the transplant. Researchers will enroll patients to see if they can recruit enough participants and collect data on safety, drug levels, and interactions with other medicines. The work uses existing drug Maraviroc in a careful, monitored way to explore potential protection against PGD. If feasible, it will inform the design of a future clinical trial in this high-risk period.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce early graft injury and improve short-term and long-term outcomes after lung transplantation.
How similar studies have gone: Prior mouse studies and preliminary data suggest CCR5 inhibition can reduce lung injury; this is an early pilot to test feasibility in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Calabrese, Daniel — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Calabrese, Daniel
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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.