Enhancing Precise Use of Beta-lactam Antibiotics in Immunocompromised Children
Official title: Enhancing Precision Use of Beta-lactam Antibiotics in Immunocompromised Children
Funded at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NIH-11454030 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A pediatric cancer care grant aims to tailor beta-lactam antibiotics for children with weakened immune systems who develop serious bloodstream infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | August 4, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $335,871 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI196618-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11454030 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children aged 0-11 years with high-risk leukemia undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy and experiencing Gram-negative bacteremia or at high risk for BSI.
✕Less likely to help
Children without cancer or those not experiencing severe infections may not directly benefit from this dosing-focused research.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on improving how we dose broad-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotics for kids with leukemia who develop dangerous bacterial infections while undergoing chemotherapy. Researchers will use blood samples and patient data to build models that predict the right antibiotic exposure for each child. The study leverages a large biobank of plasma specimens linked to clinical information to refine dosing in neutropenic patients. The goal is to reduce treatment failures and improve survival by personalizing therapy. If successful, clinicians could better prevent persistent infection and sepsis in vulnerable pediatric patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Personalized antibiotic dosing could decrease treatment failures and improve survival for immunocompromised children with bloodstream infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous pediatric PK/PD work has shown promise in predicting drug exposure, with ongoing research building toward routine personalization.
Where this research is happening
-
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wolf, Joshua — St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Study coordinator: Wolf, Joshua
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.