Creating a synthetic heparin to protect liver transplants from damage during surgery
Official title: Development ofsynthetic heparin to protect liver graft from ischemia reperfusion injury duringtransplantation
Funded at Glyco Discoveries, INC · NIH-11172888 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new treatment called dekaparin to help protect liver transplants from damage that can happen when blood flow is temporarily stopped, which can lead to better recovery and lower chances of cancer coming back for patients with liver cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Glyco Discoveries, INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Raleigh, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $148,924 |
| NIH project number | 6R41CA285005-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11172888 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who are undergoing liver transplantation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not candidates for liver transplantation or those with other types of liver disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a synthetic oligosaccharide called dekaparin to protect liver grafts from ischemia reperfusion injury during transplantation. Ischemia reperfusion injury occurs when the liver is temporarily removed from blood circulation, leading to inflammation and complications once blood flow is restored. By targeting this injury, the research aims to improve liver function post-transplant and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence in patients with liver cancer. The approach involves a novel therapeutic strategy that has shown promise in preclinical studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance the outcomes of liver transplantation by improving organ function and reducing cancer recurrence rates.
How similar studies have gone: While this specific approach is novel, there is preclinical evidence suggesting that targeting ischemia reperfusion injury could lead to improved outcomes in liver transplantation.
Where this research is happening
-
Glyco Discoveries, INC
Raleigh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Arnold, Katelyn — Glyco Discoveries, INC
- Study coordinator: Arnold, Katelyn
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.