Improving kidney transplantation outcomes through new therapies
Official title: Promoting Kidney Transplantation Tolerance Through Novel Immunomodulation and Cellular Therapy
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11063826 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring new ways to help kidney transplant patients avoid taking lifelong medications that suppress their immune system, using special treatments that help the body accept the new kidney without rejecting it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | April 20, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $769,707 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AI174966-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11063826 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from end-stage kidney disease who are considering or have undergone kidney transplantation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not candidates for kidney transplantation or those with contraindications to immunomodulatory therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing kidney transplantation by promoting immune tolerance, which would allow patients to receive transplants without the need for lifelong immunosuppression. The approach involves using innovative therapies, including specific antibodies that target immune pathways to reduce the body's rejection response to transplanted organs. By collaborating with industry partners, the research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of these novel compounds in inducing tolerance while maintaining protective immunity. This could lead to better long-term health outcomes for kidney transplant recipients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the long-term health and quality of life for kidney transplant patients by reducing complications associated with immunosuppression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using immunomodulatory therapies to promote transplant tolerance, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Adams, Andrew B — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Adams, Andrew B
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Strategies for HIV-to-HIV kidney transplants to increase organ donations
This project looks at making HIV-to-HIV kidney transplantation more common to help people with HIV get transplants faster by boosting organ donation and changing practice.
-
Biomarker-guided Immunosuppression in Kidney Transplant Patients
A multicenter study in kidney transplant recipients is testing whether a biomarker score from HLA-DR/DQ can guide changes in immunosuppression to reduce rejection risk and drug toxicity.
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Helping the immune system accept a donated kidney in patients without prior sensitization
This project will try giving specially treated donor B cells alongside immune-sparing medicines to teach the immune systems of kidney transplant patients without prior antibodies to accept the new kidney.
-
Lowering donor-specific antibodies in sensitized kidney transplant patients
This project works to reduce harmful donor-specific antibodies in people who are sensitized and need a kidney transplant so their new organ lasts longer.
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Reducing geographic disparities in kidney transplant access with AI and operations research
Aiming to use AI and operations research to make kidney transplant access more fair across different regions in the U.S.
-
Centralized patient coaching to boost live donor kidney transplantation
A US-wide program trains patients, caregivers, and their networks with coaching to help them pursue living donor kidney transplantation.
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.