Investigating how medium chain fatty acids affect chronic graft-versus-host disease
Official title: Targeting medium chain fatty acid metabolism for the treatment of chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease
Funded at University of Central Florida · NIH-11092858 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain fatty acids might affect T cells and contribute to chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) after stem cell transplants, with the hope of finding new ways to help patients feel better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Central Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Orlando, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $544,260 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL166820-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11092858 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients who have undergone allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation and are experiencing symptoms of chronic graft-versus-host disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not undergone stem cell transplantation or those without chronic graft-versus-host disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD), a serious condition that can occur after stem cell transplants. It aims to understand how medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) influence T cell behavior and contribute to cGVHD. By studying blood samples from patients and using animal models, the researchers will explore the role of a specific receptor, GPR84, in the disease process. The goal is to identify new therapeutic strategies that target this metabolic pathway to improve patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that better manage or prevent chronic graft-versus-host disease, reducing morbidity and improving quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of targeting GPR84 in cGVHD is novel, similar metabolic interventions have shown promise in other immune-related conditions.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Central Florida
Orlando, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nguyen, Hung — University of Central Florida
- Study coordinator: Nguyen, Hung
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Targeting early oral GVHD to improve mouth health after stem cell transplant
A study at UW–Madison will explore why some transplant patients develop painful oral GVHD and test ideas to prevent and lessen mouth-related problems.
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Microbiome-based therapy for treatment-refractory GVHD after stem cell transplant
A microbiome-based therapy is being developed to help people who have graft-versus-host disease that doesn’t respond to standard treatments after a stem cell transplant.
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Role of altered mitochondria in preventing GVHD after stem cell transplant
This NIH grant explores how damaged mitochondria released during pre-transplant conditioning may trigger graft-versus-host disease and tests ways to fix mitochondrial dynamics to prevent GVHD.
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Fecal transplant plus fiber to treat graft-versus-host disease after blood stem cell transplant
A study to see if giving fecal transplant along with dietary fiber helps gut health and reduces complications in patients who have received a stem cell transplant and developed graft-versus-host disease.
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Using medium-chain fatty acids and a fat-sensing receptor to treat chronic graft-versus-host disease
This project looks at whether changing medium‑chain fatty acids or blocking a fat sensor called GPR84 can help people with chronic graft‑versus‑host disease after a bone marrow/stem cell transplant.
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Microbiome-based oral therapy for gut GVHD after stem cell transplant
Researchers are testing an oral live Biotherapeutic Product to help the gut microbiome improve graft-versus-host disease after stem cell transplant patients.
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.