Lowering donor-specific antibodies in sensitized kidney transplant patients
Official title: Determinants of donor-specific B cell tolerance in kidney transplantation in sensitized recipients
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11528915 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project works to reduce harmful donor-specific antibodies in people who are sensitized and need a kidney transplant so their new organ lasts longer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2017 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,115,651 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AI131471-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11528915 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people who are sensitized with preformed HLA antibodies (from prior transfusion, pregnancy, or transplant) and who are candidates for kidney transplantation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without HLA sensitization or those who cannot tolerate intensified immunosuppression (for example because of active infections) are unlikely to benefit from these approaches.
What this research studies
Researchers are combining drugs that target antibody-producing cells (like the proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib) with immune co-stimulation blockade (belatacept) and cytolytic induction to remove preformed antibodies before transplantation. These approaches showed reduced donor-specific antibodies, fewer early antibody-mediated rejections, and longer graft survival in nonhuman primates. However, the treatments did not fully prevent later antibody-mediated rejection and were linked to complications such as viral reactivation, so the team is studying how donor-specific B cell tolerance is formed and lost. The goal is to design safer, longer-lasting desensitization strategies that prevent rejection without causing unacceptable side effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could increase transplant opportunities for sensitized patients and improve graft survival by preventing antibody-mediated rejection.
How similar studies have gone: Similar drug combinations reduced antibodies and prolonged graft survival in nonhuman primates, but human experience is limited and late antibody-mediated rejection and infection risk remain concerns.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kwun, Jean — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Kwun, Jean
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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.