New Medicines to Repair the Gut in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Structure-Guided Design of Intestine-Selective AHR Agonists for Restoration of Gut Barrier Integrity in IBD
This work develops new oral medicines to help repair the gut lining and reduce inflammation for people living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11086745 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) do not find relief with current treatments, which can also have side effects or become less effective over time. We know that a damaged gut lining, along with an imbalance of gut bacteria, plays a big role in IBD inflammation. This project focuses on a key regulator in the gut, called the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), which helps maintain gut health and repair. We are creating and testing a new type of oral medicine designed to activate AHR specifically in the intestine, aiming to restore the gut barrier and improve symptoms for patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who may benefit from future treatments that restore gut barrier integrity.
Not a fit: Patients without inflammatory bowel disease or those seeking immediate treatment options would not directly benefit from this early-stage drug development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a new class of oral medications that effectively repair the gut lining and reduce inflammation in IBD, offering a new option for patients who don't respond to existing therapies.
How similar studies have performed: This project explores a newly discovered class of compounds, representing a novel approach to targeting the aryl hydrocarbon receptor for IBD treatment.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chaikof, Elliot — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Chaikof, Elliot
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 below.