New treatment for inflammatory bowel diseases using engineered immunotherapies

Engineered immunotherapies neutralizing interleukin-22 binding protein

NIH-funded research Duke University · NIH-10688059

This study is testing a new type of treatment for people with inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, using specially designed materials to help reduce inflammation and promote healing in the gut.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDuke University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project IDNIH-10688059 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a novel immunotherapy aimed at treating inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. It seeks to create engineered immunogens that can generate anti-inflammatory immune responses within patients, targeting the IL-22 binding protein to enhance tissue regeneration and reduce inflammation. By addressing the limitations of current monoclonal antibody therapies, this approach aims to provide a more effective and predictable treatment option for a broader range of patients. The methodology involves innovative supramolecular nanomaterials to design these active immunotherapies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease who have not responded adequately to existing therapies.

Not a fit: Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases who are currently responding well to existing monoclonal antibody treatments may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more effective treatment option for patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases, potentially improving their quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using engineered immunotherapies is relatively novel, there is growing interest and preliminary success in similar strategies targeting inflammatory pathways in other conditions.

Where this research is happening

Durham, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.