Epigenetic treatment for lung scarring
Targeting Lung Fibrosis Using Epigenetic Therapy
This project tests whether the approved epigenetic drug tazemetostat can prevent or reverse lung scarring in pulmonary fibrosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11166637 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are using a drug that blocks the epigenetic enzyme EZH2 to try to reprogram lung cells and reduce scar formation. They will work with human-derived and mouse organ-like lung cultures and two mouse models of fibrosis caused by bleomycin or an AAV that drives TGFβ. The team will look at abnormal alveolar-to-basaloid cell transitions, the role of the transcription factor FOXP2, and changes in inflammatory signals such as IL-1β. This is preclinical work that uses human cells and tissues and could lead to future human trials if results are promising.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with pulmonary fibrosis or related scarring lung diseases would be the most likely candidates for future clinical trials based on this work.
Not a fit: People whose lung scarring is too advanced to be reversible or whose disease is driven by mechanisms unrelated to EZH2 are less likely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could slow, stop, or partly reverse lung fibrosis and improve breathing and survival.
How similar studies have performed: Epigenetic drugs like tazemetostat are FDA-approved for some cancers and have shown promise in laboratory fibrosis models, but they have not yet been proven effective for human pulmonary fibrosis.
Where this research is happening
Lexington, United States
- University of Kentucky — Lexington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brainson, Christine Fillmore — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Brainson, Christine Fillmore
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 below.