Complement inhibition to protect transplanted lungs from early injury
Official title: Phase 1 clinical trial of complement inhibition in primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation
Funded at Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · NIH-11424576 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small early trial tests whether a drug that blocks a key part of the immune system can prevent damage to new lungs right after transplant.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $397,615 |
| NIH project number | 1R61HL187358-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11424576 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who have recently undergone lung transplantation and are at risk for primary graft dysfunction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without early post-transplant lung injury or those who cannot safely receive complement-inhibiting therapy may not benefit.
What this research studies
This Phase 1 study will test a complement-inhibiting drug in people who recently received a lung transplant. The goal is to reduce primary graft dysfunction and improve early recovery by dampening the immune system’s initial injury response. Researchers will monitor safety and how the drug behaves in the body, along with lung function and markers of inflammation. Results will help determine whether this approach is promising enough to pursue in larger studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could lower early lung injury after transplant and improve short- and long-term lung function.
How similar studies have gone: Complement inhibitors have shown safety and benefit in other transplant settings, but data in lung transplantation are limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hachem, Ramsey — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Hachem, Ramsey
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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.