Improving lung transplant acceptance through cellular therapies
Official title: Project 2: The New Era of Cellular Therapies For Lung Transplant Tolerance
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11035230 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new ways to help people who have received lung transplants accept their new lungs without needing to take medication for the rest of their lives, by using safe methods to help their bodies recognize the transplant as part of themselves.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | March 23, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $659,957 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AI174967-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11035230 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are undergoing or have undergone lung transplantation and are at risk of allograft rejection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not candidates for lung transplantation or those with advanced lung disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates new methods to achieve long-term acceptance of lung transplants without the need for lifelong immunosuppression. It focuses on developing safe conditioning regimens to induce mixed chimerism, which can help the body accept the transplanted lung as its own. The study also aims to enhance the function of regulatory T cells, which play a crucial role in maintaining immune tolerance. By exploring these innovative approaches, the research seeks to improve outcomes for lung transplant recipients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to life-long acceptance of lung transplants, significantly reducing complications and improving quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in achieving transplant tolerance in kidney transplants, but this approach for lung transplants is still in the early stages and represents a novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kean, Leslie S — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Kean, Leslie S
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Exercise-based frailty program for people awaiting lung transplants
A tailored exercise and lifestyle program is being tested to reduce frailty and improve outcomes for people waiting for a lung transplant.
-
Understanding why a lung transplant sometimes fails early and how to tailor treatment
A study of people receiving lung transplants to find molecular differences that cause early graft failure and point to better, personalized therapies.
-
Targeting inflammation and alloimmunity in lung transplant recipients with clazakizumab
A study to see if blocking IL-6 with clazakizumab can improve survival and reduce rejection in people who have received a lung transplant.
-
Vaccination responses in lung transplant patients
This grant studies how people who have received lung transplants respond to COVID-19 vaccines and why their antibody responses may be limited.
-
The Post-Lung Transplant Aging in Immune Cells in Donor Lungs
This grant explores how aging donor lungs affect lung transplant outcomes by studying immune cells called alveolar macrophages.
-
Predictors of Lung Transplant Success and Costs
This study looks at what pre-transplant patient factors and biology predict a smooth recovery and lower costs after lung transplant.
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.