How the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine affects people with lupus or scleroderma
Official title: Mechanisms of BNT162b2 Vaccine Immunogenicity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or Scleroderma
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11262193 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at immune responses to the Pfizer (BNT162b2) COVID-19 vaccine in people with lupus or scleroderma to understand why some have weaker protection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | March 4, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $741,773 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI182319-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11262193 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) who can attend clinic visits and provide blood samples during the vaccination series are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without these connective tissue diseases or those seeking an immediate therapeutic treatment likely will not receive direct clinical benefit from this mechanistic study.
What this research studies
You would be followed over time while receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and asked to give blood samples at set visits. Researchers will measure your antibodies, neutralizing activity against virus variants, vaccine-specific T cells, and key signaling proteins using detailed single-cell and protein tests. The team will compare people who make strong responses to those who do not, including how medications for autoimmune disease affect vaccine responses. Results aim to explain why some patients have lower protection and how responses change over months.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors predict who might have weaker vaccine protection and guide better vaccination or treatment plans for people with lupus or scleroderma.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier smaller work by the team in 18 lupus patients found variable antibody and T cell responses and identified immune signals linked to nonresponse, but larger longitudinal cohorts are needed to confirm and expand those findings.
Where this research is happening
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Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Utz, Paul Joseph — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Utz, Paul Joseph
Related research
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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.