Investigating a new oral treatment for intestinal fibrosis in Crohn's disease

Oral elafin formulation for intestinal fibrosis

NIH-funded research University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11049016

This study is testing a new oral treatment using a protective peptide called elafin to help people with Crohn's disease who have intestinal fibrosis, with the hope of finding a better way to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Los Angeles NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project IDNIH-11049016 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing an oral formulation of elafin, a protective peptide, to treat intestinal fibrosis associated with Crohn's disease. The study aims to establish effective oral regimens using modified elafin in mouse models that mimic preexisting intestinal fibrosis. Researchers will explore how elafin works at the cellular level to inhibit collagen production and other fibrogenic processes. The ultimate goal is to provide a new therapeutic option that could improve the quality of life for patients suffering from this challenging condition.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Crohn's disease who are experiencing intestinal fibrosis.

Not a fit: Patients without Crohn's disease or those not experiencing intestinal fibrosis may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a novel oral treatment that alleviates intestinal fibrosis, potentially reducing the need for surgical interventions.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of using elafin for intestinal fibrosis is novel, similar studies have shown promise in using peptides for treating fibrotic conditions.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.