Investigating how telomere length affects lung disease outcomes
Official title: The Prognostic and Predictive Impact of Telomere Length in Fibrotic Interstitial Lung Disease
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11022892 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the length of certain markers in your blood cells can help doctors understand and predict the progression of interstitial lung diseases, so they can make better treatment decisions for you and others facing these serious lung conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $771,751 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL176839-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11022892 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with fibrotic interstitial lung disease, particularly those who are treatment-naïve.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-fibrotic lung diseases or those who have already received extensive treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on interstitial lung diseases (ILD), which are serious conditions that lead to lung damage and can be life-threatening. The study aims to measure leukocyte telomere length in over 4,000 ILD patients to better understand how this biomarker can predict disease progression and mortality risk. By identifying specific telomere length thresholds, the research seeks to improve clinical decision-making and treatment strategies for patients with fibrotic ILDs. Patients will be monitored to see how their telomere length correlates with their health outcomes over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more personalized treatment plans for patients with fibrotic interstitial lung disease, potentially improving their survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that telomere length can be a significant biomarker in other diseases, suggesting potential success for this novel approach in ILD.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Newton, Chad Alan — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Newton, Chad Alan
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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.