Gene therapy to protect vein grafts after bypass surgery
Vascular-targeted Atheroprotective Gene therapies to Prevent Vein Graft Failure
Testing a gene therapy meant to help veins used in bypass operations stay open longer for people with coronary or peripheral artery disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11293427 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses a protective gene called A20 delivered directly to vein grafts to reduce inflammation, speed healing, and limit the scarring that causes graft narrowing. Researchers will deliver the gene using viral vectors and study how treated grafts heal compared with untreated ones. The work builds on earlier animal studies and a large-animal pilot that suggested benefit and will collect detailed measures of vessel healing, inflammation, and graft patency. If results are good, the approach could move toward testing in people undergoing bypass surgery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults scheduled to receive autologous vein grafts during coronary artery bypass or lower-extremity bypass surgery who can consent to participate.
Not a fit: People who are not receiving vein grafts, already have failed grafts, or who cannot receive gene therapy for medical reasons would not be expected to benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the therapy could lower the chance that vein grafts close off, reducing repeat procedures and complications after bypass surgery.
How similar studies have performed: Prior small-animal studies and a large-animal pilot using the A20 gene showed promising protection against graft failure, but there is little or no human data yet.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ferran, Christiane — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Ferran, Christiane
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.