Investigating a new treatment for heart transplant patients using Belatacept
Official title: Safety and efficacy of Belatacept in heart transplantation
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11059177 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how well Belatacept works as a new option for people getting their first heart transplant, helping them safely switch from traditional medications while aiming to improve heart health and reduce rejection risks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | June 6, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,710,716 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AI174997-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11059177 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals receiving their first heart transplant.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have previously undergone heart transplantation or those with contraindications to Belatacept may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on evaluating the safety and effectiveness of Belatacept, a medication that may serve as an alternative to traditional immunosuppressants in heart transplantation. The study will involve first-time heart transplant recipients who will gradually transition off calcineurin inhibitors like tacrolimus over nine months while receiving Belatacept, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisone. The goal is to reduce the risk of rejection and improve long-term heart transplant outcomes by preventing the activation of harmful immune responses. Participants will be monitored for changes in heart function and the development of donor-specific antibodies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved long-term survival rates and better quality of life for heart transplant patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with Belatacept in kidney transplantation, suggesting potential benefits in heart transplantation as well.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Habal, Marlena — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Habal, Marlena
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Targeted immune treatments to protect donated hearts
This project develops ways to send immune-suppressing medicines directly to the lymph nodes and the transplanted heart to help people with heart transplants avoid rejection while reducing side effects.
-
IL-33 helps protect heart transplant patients from long-term rejection
This grant studies how a natural molecule called IL-33 may shield heart transplant patients from ongoing immune damage and chronic rejection.
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Targeted mRNA delivery to improve heart transplants from donation after circulatory death
This grant tests a new mRNA delivery approach to help donor hearts from donors after circulatory death survive and function better after transplant.
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Belatacept to reduce rejection and protect kidneys after a heart transplant
This trial will compare continuing tacrolimus to gradually switching to belatacept over nine months in people receiving a first-time heart transplant to lower rejection, prevent donor-specific antibodies, and protect kidney function.
-
Partial heart transplant to give growing heart valves to children
This work tries transplanting only the donor heart part that contains a valve so children can get a valve that grows with them.
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Predicting Heart Transplant Rejection Risk Before Surgery
This research aims to find ways to predict which heart transplant patients might reject their new heart, helping doctors tailor their medication plans.
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.