Investigating how gender-affirming hormone therapy affects immune function
Official title: Understanding the effects of Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT) on immune function using a systems immunology approach
Funded at Murdoch Children's Research Institute · NIH-10912044 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how hormone therapy affects the immune system in transgender people, specifically by checking blood samples from transgender women before and after they start treatment to see how the hormones might change their immune responses and risk of infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Murdoch Children's Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Melbourne, Australia) |
| Project start | August 22, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $120,516 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI179004-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10912044 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are transgender women who are currently on or considering gender-affirming hormone therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not transgender or those who are not undergoing hormone therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the impact of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) on the immune system of transgender individuals. By analyzing blood samples from transgender women before and after starting GAHT, the study aims to understand how feminizing (estradiol) and masculinizing (testosterone) hormones influence immune responses and susceptibility to infections. The research employs advanced systems immunology techniques to assess changes in immune profiles and plasma metabolites, which are crucial for understanding health outcomes in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health management and tailored treatments for transgender individuals undergoing hormone therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the effects of hormone therapy on various health aspects, but this specific approach to immune function is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Murdoch Children's Research Institute
Melbourne, Australia Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Novakovic, Boris — Murdoch Children's Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Novakovic, Boris
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Developing vaccines to prevent infections from Group A Streptococcus
This study is working on developing better vaccines to protect people from Group A Streptococcus infections by using human samples and a new tissue model to understand how our immune system fights this bacteria.
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.