New Immune Therapies for Autoimmune Diseases
Official title: Developing non-immunosuppressive immune-based therapeutics for targeted treatment of autoimmune diseases
Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-11140314 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to create new, focused immune treatments for autoimmune diseases like Pemphigus Vulgaris, without broadly suppressing the immune system.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 24, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $663,019 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI165666-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11140314 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with autoimmune diseases like Pemphigus Vulgaris, particularly those with autoantibodies targeting desmoglein-3, would be the focus of future clinical applications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with autoimmune conditions not driven by specific B-cell autoantibodies or those who do not respond to targeted immune therapies may not receive benefit from this specific approach.
What this research studies
Pemphigus vulgaris is a serious autoimmune disease where the body's immune cells mistakenly attack healthy skin proteins, causing painful blisters. Current treatments often weaken the entire immune system, which can lead to side effects. Our goal is to develop a smarter approach that specifically targets only the harmful immune cells responsible for the disease. We are working to create new immune-based therapies that can precisely remove these specific cells, leaving the rest of your immune system healthy. This targeted method could offer a safer and more effective way to manage conditions like Pemphigus Vulgaris.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments for autoimmune diseases that are more targeted, have fewer side effects, and are more effective than current broad immunosuppressive therapies.
How similar studies have gone: While broad immunosuppression is common, this approach focuses on novel, targeted immune-based therapeutics, building on established understanding of autoantibody pathology.
Where this research is happening
-
Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rashidian, Mohammad — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Rashidian, Mohammad
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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.