Improving care for chronic graft‑versus‑host disease and lung complications
Biostatistics and Data Management
This project tests whether targeting immune pathways with a ROCK2‑blocking drug and complementary lab studies can prevent or treat chronic graft‑versus‑host disease in the lungs after donor stem cell transplant.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11174476 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will look for immune patterns in transplant patients that predict who will develop chronic GVHD and who will respond to treatments. They will run animal studies to find drugs that stop lung scarring and use lung organoids (mini‑lung tissues grown in the lab) to identify the cells and antigens attacked in bronchiolitis obliterans. A phase II clinical trial will test a ROCK2 inhibitor in patients with lung chronic GVHD to see if it improves symptoms and lung function. Together these approaches combine patient samples, lab models, and a clinical trial to guide new therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with chronic GVHD involving the lungs (bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome or lung fibrosis) after an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant who meet trial eligibility would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without chronic GVHD or without lung involvement, and those who do not meet the clinical trial eligibility requirements, are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better treatments that reduce lung inflammation and fibrosis from chronic GVHD and improve breathing and quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: ROCK2 inhibitors have shown benefit for chronic GVHD more broadly in prior studies, but focused testing for lung GVHD combined with organoid and animal work is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Dana-Farber Cancer Inst — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Haesook T — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Kim, Haesook T
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.