Lithium as a potential disease-modifying treatment for emphysema using a precision approach
Official title: Developing Lithium as a Disease-Modifying Therapy for Emphysema Using a Precision Medicine Approach
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11416473 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A low-dose lithium approach is being studied to slow or modify emphysema in smokers who have COPD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $707,338 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL179364-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416473 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with COPD and emphysema who are current or former smokers may be eligible.
✕Less likely to help
People without COPD/emphysema or those who cannot tolerate lithium may not benefit.
What this research studies
If successful, this study will explore whether small amounts of lithium can help repair lung damage in people with emphysema caused by smoking. Researchers will examine how lithium affects lung cells and tissues, and how it interacts with biological pathways important for lung repair. The project builds on preliminary data from animal models and human tissue studies to determine safety and potential lung benefits. Participants would contribute data and may be involved through measurements, tests, and follow-up as the team assesses lung function and disease progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, the approach could slow lung damage and improve quality of life for people with emphysema.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary animal and human tissue work suggests potential, but human evidence is still early and requires confirmation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chandra, Divay — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Chandra, Divay
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Precision phenotyping of emphysema in the elderly: a study in diverse adults
Researchers will look at CT scans and lung tests in older adults to understand different forms of emphysema and how they relate to health outcomes.
-
Imaging and multi-omics to find subtypes of emphysema in COPD
This project looks for molecular subtypes of emphysema in COPD by combining imaging with blood and tissue data to improve understanding and treatment options.
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Precision phenotyping of emphysema in the elderly: the MESA Lung Study
Aging adults with or without COPD-related symptoms may benefit from a new study that maps subtypes of emphysema on CT scans to better predict health risks.
-
E-cigarette use and emphysema risk in young adults (VapeScan)
A study to understand whether vaping or traditional cigarettes cause early lung damage in young adults.
-
Loss of lung blood-vessel stem cells that may speed lung aging and raise emphysema risk
Researchers will look at how losing a type of lung blood-vessel progenitor cell may make lungs age faster and increase emphysema risk in adults.
-
Immune cells blocking lung repair stem cells in emphysema
This project looks at how immune cells in the lungs may stop repair stem cells after viral infections in people with emphysema.
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.