Investigating how blood vessels and cells help the thymus recover after cancer treatments
Official title: Understanding the role of the blood vascular system and endothelial cells in early thymus regeneration after cytotoxic treatments using novel intravital imaging techniques
Funded at University of California, Merced · NIH-10982411 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how blood vessels and certain cells in the body help the thymus heal after chemotherapy for blood cancers, with the hope of finding ways to improve recovery and make treatments more effective for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, Merced NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Merced, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $684,794 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL171971-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10982411 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are undergoing or have undergone cytotoxic treatments for hematologic malignancies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing cytotoxic treatments or those with non-hematologic conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of blood vessels and endothelial cells in the regeneration of the thymus after cytotoxic treatments, such as chemotherapy, which are commonly used for blood cancers. By using advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to observe how these cells respond to damage and contribute to the recovery of the immune system. The goal is to uncover mechanisms that could lead to better therapies that enhance immune recovery following treatment. Patients may benefit from insights gained about improving the effectiveness of hematopoietic cell transplantation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved therapies that enhance immune recovery in patients undergoing treatment for blood cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of vascular endothelial cells in tissue regeneration, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, Merced
Merced, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Spencer, Joel a. — University of California, Merced
- Study coordinator: Spencer, Joel a.
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.