Monitoring how immune cells function in patients after stem cell transplants
Official title: In vivo Monitoring of Neutrophil Function in Patients after Stem Cell Transplant
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11011430 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how well the immune system works in patients who have had stem cell transplants, especially focusing on a type of white blood cell called neutrophils that help fight infections, to find better ways to predict and prevent serious fungal infections after their treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | February 13, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $792,505 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI176658-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11011430 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients who have recently undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplants and are at risk for fungal infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not undergone stem cell transplants or those with conditions unrelated to fungal infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the immune response of patients who have undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplants, particularly focusing on neutrophils, a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections. The study aims to develop new biomarkers that can more accurately predict the risk of invasive fungal infections in these patients, as traditional measures of neutrophil recovery are often insufficient. By examining the communication and coordination of neutrophils, known as swarming, the research seeks to understand how this function changes over time after the transplant. This could lead to improved management strategies for preventing infections in vulnerable patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better tools for predicting and preventing serious fungal infections in patients recovering from stem cell transplants.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in developing biomarkers for immune response, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Irimia, Daniel — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Irimia, Daniel
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.
-
Innate and Adaptive Immunoregulation in Liver Transplant Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
A liver transplant-focused project investigates how the body’s early and later immune responses affect transplant failure or success after reperfusion.
-
Exercise-based frailty program for people awaiting lung transplants
A tailored exercise and lifestyle program is being tested to reduce frailty and improve outcomes for people waiting for a lung transplant.
-
Diabetes and Donor Tissue in Corneal Transplants
This grant studies whether corneas from donors with diabetes affect the success of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and what factors predict better or worse outcomes.
-
Microbial clues to diagnose and predict infections in kidney transplant patients
A patient-focused project will look for microbial biomarkers in stool, blood, and urine to help doctors predict and diagnose infections in people who have had a kidney transplant.
-
Medicare Advantage and Transplant Access for Rural and Vulnerable Communities
Aimed at understanding how Medicare Advantage affects early steps to kidney transplant for adults in rural or socioeconomically challenged groups.
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.