New treatment targeting autoimmune responses in Graves' disease
Characterization of a novel chimeric autoantigen receptor (CAAR) treatment for Graves' disease
This study is testing a new treatment for Graves' disease that uses specially designed immune cells to target and remove the harmful cells causing your symptoms, aiming to tackle the problem at its source instead of just easing the symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham Young University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Provo, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11115191 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel treatment for Graves' disease, an autoimmune condition that leads to hyperthyroidism. The approach involves creating chimeric autoantigen receptor (CAAR) T cells that specifically target and eliminate the autoreactive B cells responsible for producing harmful antibodies. By using a fragment of the thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) as bait, these engineered T cells can selectively bind to and destroy the problematic B cells while sparing healthy ones. This innovative strategy aims to address the root cause of the disease rather than just its symptoms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Graves' disease who have high levels of anti-TSHR autoantibodies.
Not a fit: Patients with other autoimmune diseases or those who do not have Graves' disease may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a curative treatment option for patients suffering from Graves' disease.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results using similar CAR T cell approaches in treating autoimmune conditions, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
Provo, United States
- Brigham Young University — Provo, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weber, K. Scott — Brigham Young University
- Study coordinator: Weber, K. Scott
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.