Improving Stem Cell Transplants for Blood Cancers and Other Diseases
Official title: Optimizing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation For The Treatment Of Hematological Malignancies
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11228615 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work aims to make stem cell transplants safer and more effective for people with blood cancers, autoimmune diseases, and other serious conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 7, 2017 |
| Project end | June 30, 2032 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $713,138 |
| NIH project number | 2R35CA210084-08A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11228615 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with hematological malignancies, hemoglobinopathies, autoimmune diseases, or inherited metabolic disorders who are candidates for stem cell transplantation may be ideal.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not candidates for stem cell transplantation or related gene therapies would likely not receive direct benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
This project focuses on overcoming major challenges in hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), a curative therapy for many serious diseases. Researchers are working to improve how healthy stem cells are collected for transplant or gene therapy, reduce the harsh side effects of current chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and better control complications like graft-versus-host disease. The team is also developing new strategies to prevent diseases from returning after a transplant. This effort builds on extensive experience, including work that has already led to new FDA-approved treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and less toxic stem cell transplant procedures, offering better outcomes and quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have gone: This research builds on a strong foundation, with previous work from the lead researcher contributing to FDA-approved treatments and multiple completed clinical trials.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dipersio, John F. — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Dipersio, John F.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Optimizing Blood Stem Cell Transplants for Blood C cancers and related diseases
This grant supports improving how stem cell transplants are collected and given, with the goal of better outcomes and fewer side effects for people with blood cancers and some autoimmune or inherited conditions.
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Gentle electrical stimulation to keep muscles strong during stem cell transplant
This project uses small, gentle electrical pulses to try to help Veterans keep muscle strength and reduce fatigue during and after stem cell transplants for blood cancers.
-
Engineering CD19 mimotopes to boost and broaden CD19-CAR T cell therapy
A patient-focused look at improving existing CD19-CAR T cell therapy so more people with blood cancers might benefit.
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Inpatient yoga therapy for cancer patients undergoing stem cell transplant
A randomized trial will test whether an inpatient yoga program helps people receiving stem cell transplants feel better and cope with treatment.
-
A structured peer support program for people having stem cell transplants
A brief, supportive, phone-based peer program for adults with blood cancers undergoing stem cell transplant to help manage stress and improve recovery.
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Disrupting BM niches and boostingCAR-T therapy in blood cancers
A program at Washington University is developing better ways to collect stem cells for transplantation, reduce graft-versus-host disease, and improve CAR-T cell therapies for blood cancers.
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.