Non-immunosuppressive, targeted immune therapies for autoimmune diseases
Official title: Developing non-immunosuppressive immune-based therapeutics for targeted treatment of autoimmune diseases
Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-11367436 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to develop targeted treatments that selectively remove disease-causing B cells in autoimmune conditions like pemphigus vulgaris without broadly weakening the immune system.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 24, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $663,019 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI165666-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11367436 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with pemphigus vulgaris or related autoimmune conditions, including treatment-naive and relapsed patients, may be eligible for related future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without autoreactive B cells targeting Dsg3 or those unable to participate in preclinical testing may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project focuses on creating precise immune-based therapies to deplete B cells that attack a skin protein called desmoglein-3 in pemphigus vulgaris. It uses patient-derived cells and mouse models to test targeted approaches, with an emphasis on safety and specificity. The work builds on known disease mechanisms and compares new methods to current broad immunosuppressive drugs to reduce side effects. Researchers will use samples from people with PV in various disease stages to optimize the therapy before potential clinical testing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience fewer blisters and mucosal erosions with treatments that spare healthy immune cells.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that targeting autoreactive B cells can be effective in autoimmune diseases, but this approach remains novel for highly specific Dsg3-directed therapy.
Where this research is happening
-
Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rashidian, Mohammad — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Rashidian, Mohammad
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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.