New methods to help the body accept lung transplants
Official title: Novel Approaches to Inducing Lung Allograft Tolerance in NHPs
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11035223 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help people who receive lung transplants accept their new lungs better, so they won't have to take strong medications that can cause side effects, and it's being tested in nonhuman primates to find a safer solution for future lung transplant patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | March 23, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $3,299,788 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AI174967-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11035223 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are undergoing or have undergone lung transplantation and are at risk of transplant rejection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not candidates for lung transplantation or those with incompatible donor-recipient matches may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the acceptance of lung transplants by the body, aiming to reduce the need for long-term immunosuppressive medications that can have serious side effects. The approach involves using a combination of conditioning and donor bone marrow transplantation to create a state of tolerance in the recipient's immune system. By studying nonhuman primates, the researchers hope to develop a method that allows lung transplant recipients to live without the complications associated with chronic immunosuppression. The goal is to achieve long-term survival of lung allografts without the need for ongoing medication.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the survival rates and quality of life for lung transplant recipients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has successfully induced tolerance in kidney transplants, but this approach for lung transplants is still being tested and has not yet been widely validated.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Madsen, Joren C — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Madsen, Joren C
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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.