Next-generation mixed-chimerism methods to promote long-term lung transplant acceptance
Project 1: Next Generation Mixed Chimerism Strategies to Induce Lung Allograft Tolerance in NHPs
This project develops a way to help people who get lung transplants keep their new lungs long-term without lifelong immune-suppressing drugs.
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 ID | NIH-11285369 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are using donor bone marrow cells and a process called mixed chimerism in nonhuman primates to train the immune system to accept a lung without lifelong drugs. They build on methods that have allowed drug-free kidney transplants, but lungs have proven harder to make tolerant. Early monkey experiments achieved long-term, immunosuppression-free lung survival but caused serious side effects like infections, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease, and low blood counts. This project aims to refine the conditioning and donor-cell approaches to reduce toxicity and extend the method to more donor–recipient matches.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have received or are candidates for lung transplantation and who might be eligible for donor bone marrow–based tolerance strategies would be the intended future candidates.
Not a fit: Patients who cannot tolerate intensive conditioning (for example those with active infections, severe frailty, or other contraindications) or whose donors are highly incompatible may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could allow lung transplant recipients to avoid lifelong immunosuppression, improving survival and reducing drug-related complications.
How similar studies have performed: Related mixed-chimerism approaches have produced drug-free kidney transplants in both NHPs and humans, and recent monkey work achieved long-term, immunosuppression-free lung survival but with significant toxicity.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Madsen, Joren C — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Madsen, Joren C
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.