Improving lung transplant success by targeting immune responses
Official title: Targeted delivery of immunosuppressive agents to the graft endothelium forthe prevention of rejection in lung transplantation
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-11091934 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at new ways to help lung transplant patients by creating tiny agents that can deliver important medications directly to the lungs, helping to prevent the body from rejecting the new organ and improving overall transplant success.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $449,683 |
| NIH project number | 7U01AI170075-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11091934 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with end-stage pulmonary disease who are considering or are eligible for lung transplantation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not candidates for lung transplantation or those with conditions unrelated to lung health may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the success of lung transplants by developing new methods to deliver immunosuppressive agents directly to the lung graft. It recognizes that lung transplants face unique immune challenges compared to other organ transplants, and aims to create nanoagents that can block harmful immune responses while simultaneously delivering necessary medications. By addressing the specific immune mechanisms involved in lung rejection, this approach seeks to improve transplant outcomes for patients. The study will involve innovative techniques to better understand and manipulate the immune environment of the transplanted lung.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the survival rates and overall outcomes for patients receiving lung transplants.
How similar studies have gone: While this approach is innovative, similar strategies targeting immune responses in other organ transplants have shown promise, suggesting potential for success in lung transplantation.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Atkinson, Carl — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Atkinson, Carl
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Phase 1 trial of siltuximab for antibody-mediated rejection after lung transplant
A early-stage study tests whether siltuximab can help people who have antibody-mediated rejection after lung transplantation.
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Targeted delivery of immune-suppressing agents to the lung graft to prevent rejection
A study at Northwestern University will test a new, targeted approach to prevent lung transplant rejection by delivering immune-suppressing drugs directly to the graft while blocking early signals that trigger rejection.
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Siltuximab for antibody-mediated rejection after lung transplant
This trial gives siltuximab to people with antibody-mediated rejection after a lung transplant to try to control the immune response harming the new lung.
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Role of plasma cells in chronic rejection after lung transplantation
This research looks at how certain immune cells called plasma cells may drive chronic rejection in people who have had lung transplants and how this could lead to new ways to protect the transplant.
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Non-invasive infection detection after lung transplant
A non-invasive blood test using phage-based signals could help doctors detect lung infections early in people who have had a lung transplant.
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Investigating the role of plasma cells in lung transplant rejection
This study is looking at how certain immune cells, called plasma cells, might play a role in lung transplant rejection, especially for patients dealing with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, and it hopes to find new ways to help improve the success of lung transplants.
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.