Improving stem cell transplants for treating blood disorders
Official title: Optimizing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to treat non-malignant disease
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10984824 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at new ways to make stem cell transplants safer and more effective for people with blood disorders like sickle cell disease, and it may involve patients trying out these improved methods.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $169,156 |
| NIH project number | 1K08HL168155-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10984824 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from non-malignant hematologic diseases, particularly those with sickle cell disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with malignant blood disorders or those who do not have hematologic diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) techniques to treat non-malignant blood diseases, such as sickle cell disease. The approach involves optimizing the conditioning process, mobilizing stem cells effectively, and utilizing therapeutic gene editing to improve patient outcomes. By leveraging advanced immunological techniques and antibody-drug conjugates, the research aims to make HSCT safer and more effective for patients with these conditions. Patients may be involved in trials that assess the efficacy of these new methods.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective treatments for patients with non-malignant blood disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in optimizing HSCT techniques, indicating that this approach has potential based on earlier successes.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Persaud, Stephen Phillip — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Persaud, Stephen Phillip
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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-
Inpatient yoga therapy for cancer patients undergoing stem cell transplant
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-
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A brief, supportive, phone-based peer program for adults with blood cancers undergoing stem cell transplant to help manage stress and improve recovery.
-
T Cell Precursors to Restore Immune Power After Stem Cell Transplants
This grant supports a patient-friendly approach to speed up immune recovery after a stem cell transplant by giving patients donor‑made T cell precursors that mature into healthy immune cells.
-
Engineering patient avatars to study GVHD after bone marrow transplant
Researchers are creating patient-specific lab models of the gut, liver, and blood to better understand and prevent GVHD after bone marrow transplant, with a focus on children.
-
Optimizing stem cell transplants to treat non-malignant blood diseases
A researcher is pursuing a five-year plan to improve stem cell transplantation strategies for non-cancer blood illnesses, with a focus on safer conditioning, better stem cell collection, and gene editing.
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.