Improving Cell Therapy for Graft-Versus-Host Disease
Enhancing Treg Therapeutic Efficacy in GVHD
This research aims to make a special type of immune cell, called regulatory T cells, more effective at preventing graft-versus-host disease after a transplant.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11076768 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are working to improve a cell therapy that uses special immune cells, called regulatory T cells, to prevent a serious complication called graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after a transplant. Previous efforts showed some success in reducing GVHD, but we want to make these cells even more powerful and also help prevent cancer relapse. Our approach involves making these regulatory T cells "super-suppressors" and equipping them with a special targeting system to fight lymphoma cells. By doing this, we hope to create a single treatment that can both prevent GVHD and reduce the risk of cancer returning after a transplant.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation who are at risk for graft-versus-host disease and lymphoma relapse would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients not undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation or those without a risk of GVHD or lymphoma would not directly benefit from this specific therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could significantly reduce the risk of both graft-versus-host disease and cancer relapse for patients undergoing allogeneic transplants.
How similar studies have performed: Previous phase I trials with regulatory T cells showed some reduction in GVHD, and this work builds on those findings by enhancing the cells' capabilities.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blazar, Bruce R — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Blazar, Bruce R
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.