Developing a drug to enhance stem cell growth for faster recovery after chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant
Official title: Preclinical development of a nuclear-targeting biologic that safely increases stem cell expansion in vivo to accelerate recovery from neutropenia after chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant
Funded at Ship of Theseus, LLC · NIH-10918070 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new drug that helps boost the growth of stem cells in patients getting a stem cell transplant, with the goal of speeding up recovery and reducing the risk of infections after the procedure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ship of Theseus, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Eagleville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 17, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $213,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R33HL163739-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10918070 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with certain blood cancers who are scheduled to undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplants.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing HSCTs or those with conditions unrelated to blood cancers may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the recovery process for patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCTs) by using a novel drug that enhances the growth of stem cells in the body. The drug, a modified version of a nuclear transcription factor, is designed to be administered briefly before the transplant, allowing for better expansion of donor stem cells without causing them to differentiate. This approach aims to reduce the duration of neutropenia, a condition that leaves patients vulnerable to infections after their bone marrow is removed and before the transplant takes effect. By shortening the time patients spend neutropenic, the research seeks to improve patient outcomes and reduce hospital costs associated with HSCTs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to faster recovery times and reduced infection risks for patients undergoing stem cell transplants.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using a drug to enhance stem cell expansion is innovative, similar strategies have shown promise in preliminary trials, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Ship of Theseus, LLC
Eagleville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Elser, Jeremy a — Ship of Theseus, LLC
- Study coordinator: Elser, Jeremy a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Stimulant that grows donor stem cells in the body to speed neutropenia recovery after chemotherapy and stem cell transplant
A drug given during or right before stem cell transplant helps donor stem cells multiply quickly inside the patient to shorten neutropenia after treatment.
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Stimulant to grow stem cells in the body to speed recovery after chemotherapy and stem cell transplant
A new drug given briefly before transplant aims to help patients recover their blood and immune system faster after chemotherapy or stem cell transplant.
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Drug to boost stem cell growth and shorten low-white-blood-cell time after transplant
A brief drug treatment given to donor stem cells aims to help them grow faster inside the body so people recovering from chemotherapy or a stem cell transplant make white blood cells sooner.
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PointCheck: a home-based, non-invasive neutropenia monitor for chemotherapy patients
A portable, non-invasive device helps cancer patients on chemotherapy monitor neutropenia from home so doctors can prevent serious infections.
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A portable device to detect low white blood cell counts in cancer patients
This project is developing a new portable device called PointCheck to help cancer patients on chemotherapy monitor their white blood cell counts from home and prevent serious infections.
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A device to monitor cancer patients for low white blood cell counts at home
This study is testing a new, easy-to-use device called PointCheck that helps cancer patients on chemotherapy check their white blood cell counts at home, so they can catch any serious drops in their levels early and stay safe from infections.
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.