How antiviral medicines affect hormones in pregnant people, fetuses, and newborns
Understanding the underlying toxicological mechanisms of drug-hormone interactions to improve the safety profile of antiviral medications in pregnant people, developing fetuses, and neonates
Researchers are looking at how antiviral drugs can change hormone balance during pregnancy and in newborns so these medicines can be used more safely.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11248398 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on how antiviral drugs can disturb steroid hormones that are important in pregnancy and early life. The team will study liver enzymes that handle both drugs and hormones (for example CYP and UGT enzymes) and measure drug and hormone levels in laboratory tests and biological samples. They will use a mix of lab models and human-derived samples to trace the toxicological steps that lead to hormone disruption and newborn problems. Results will aim to pinpoint which drugs or conditions raise risk and to guide safer use of antivirals in pregnant people and infants.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Pregnant people who are taking or may need antiviral medications and newborns exposed to those antivirals would be the most relevant candidates for related sample collections or clinical components.
Not a fit: People who are not pregnant and who are not receiving antiviral therapy are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lower the risk of hormone-related side effects from antivirals in pregnant people and their babies and help doctors choose safer treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Prior reports have linked some antivirals to hormone changes and neonatal issues, but directly mapping the enzyme-level drug–hormone mechanisms in pregnancy is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lampe, Jed Noah — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Lampe, Jed Noah
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.