Immune cell fingerprints behind delayed drug allergic reactions
Interrogating Clonal Repertoire in Drug Hypersensitivity Reactions
['FUNDING_R01'] · BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL · NIH-11223316
This work looks at whether analyzing T-cell clones in skin and blood can help identify which drug caused delayed allergic reactions and help screen people before they take medicines.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11223316 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you've had a delayed allergic reaction to a medication, researchers will collect samples from your rash and a blood sample to study the immune cells involved. They will read T-cell receptor sequences to find repeating 'fingerprints' (clonal patterns) linked to the culprit drug. Those fingerprints will be compared across patients and against samples taken before drug exposure to see if they reliably point to a specific drug or predict risk. The team aims to use these findings to develop a lab test to identify culprit drugs and to screen people before treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have experienced delayed-type drug hypersensitivity reactions (like morbilliform eruptions, SJS/TEN, or DRESS) and who can provide skin and blood samples are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with immediate-type (IgE-mediated) allergic reactions, reactions not driven by T cells, or those unwilling/unable to give skin or blood samples may not benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help doctors identify the drug that caused a delayed allergic reaction and provide a way to screen patients beforehand to prevent future reactions.
How similar studies have performed: Prior smaller studies have found T-cell signals in drug reactions, but using skin clonal repertoire as a diagnostic and pre-screening tool is relatively new and largely untested at scale.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: DIVITO, SHERRIE JILL — BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
- Study coordinator: DIVITO, SHERRIE JILL
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.