Immune and gene markers of MAC lung infection
Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary infection: immunologic and transcriptomic signatures of disease and treatment response
This project looks for immune and blood gene-expression signs that can tell who has Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease and who responds to antibiotic treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11174964 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As a patient, you would be asked to provide blood and sputum samples and share clinical information and imaging so researchers can measure immune responses and gene activity. The team will compare people with active MAC lung disease, people who carry the bacteria without disease, and people starting treatment, and will follow them over time. The goal is to find non-invasive blood markers that track disease burden and treatment response so fewer people need repeated CT scans and long sputum cultures. Study visits and sample collection will occur at OHSU or affiliated clinics and some samples may be stored for future work.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with suspected or confirmed MAC pulmonary disease, particularly older adults or those with underlying lung conditions, who can provide sputum and blood samples and attend clinic visits.
Not a fit: People without MAC lung infection, those unable to give sputum or blood samples, or those unwilling to attend clinic visits are unlikely to benefit directly from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could produce blood-based tests that help diagnose MAC lung disease and predict who will benefit from long antibiotic courses, reducing unnecessary treatment and radiation exposure.
How similar studies have performed: Related research in tuberculosis and small MAC cohorts has shown promising immune and gene-expression signals, but large longitudinal biomarker studies specific to MAC remain limited.
Where this research is happening
Portland, United States
- Oregon Health & Science University — Portland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Winthrop, Kevin Loring — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Winthrop, Kevin Loring
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.