Improving post-liver transplant care with biomarkers and alcohol-recovery support
Project 2-Optimization of Post-Transplant care via Biomarkers and Behavioral Interventions
This project tests blood markers and behavioral supports to help people who had alcohol-related liver disease stay healthy and avoid returning to drinking after a liver transplant.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11101255 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you would get extra help after your liver transplant aimed at preventing alcohol relapse. The team uses blood-based biomarkers to detect alcohol use early and offers technology-assisted behavioral treatments that fit into routine clinic visits. Parts of the work are being compared in a randomized approach and are integrated into the transplant program’s regular care, with some remote options. The study focuses on practical ways to reduce return-to-drinking and improve long-term outcomes for transplant recipients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who received a liver transplant for alcohol-associated liver disease and are in the first years after transplant are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without alcohol-associated liver disease, those many years out from transplant with stable recovery, or those unwilling to take part in behavioral programs may not receive benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce alcohol relapse after transplant, improve survival, and make post-transplant support easier to access.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work, including a randomized trial from this group, showed promising results for technology-assisted post-transplant alcohol treatments but relapse remains common and further optimization is needed.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Po-Hung (Victor) — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Chen, Po-Hung (Victor)
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.