Objective lung-donor quality tools to expand the transplant pool
Official title: Objective Lung Assessment Tools for Improved Organ Use in Lung Transplantation
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-11507547 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A lung-transplant-focused project aims to use gene-based risk tools to better judge donor organs and prevent recipient lung dysfunction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2021 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $401,849 |
| NIH project number | 7R01HL155821-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11507547 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with end-stage lung disease who are candidates for lung transplantation and could receive organs selected using these risk tools.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not undergo lung transplantation or whose donor organs are unaffected by the risk tools may see little direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project builds and tests gene-expression based risk tools that predict primary graft dysfunction after lung transplant. It will validate these tools in a multicenter study to help identify which donor lungs are best suited for transplantation. By clarifying donor organ quality earlier, doctors could expand the pool of usable lungs and reduce transplant waitlist deaths. The work connects molecular signals from donor tissue to practical decisions in organ allocation. If successful, it could make lung transplants safer and more available for patients in need.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better donor organ selection could reduce post-transplant complications and increase access to lungs for patients awaiting transplant.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary gene-expression approaches have shown promise in predicting graft outcomes, with ongoing validation needed.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cantu, Edward — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Cantu, Edward
Related research
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-
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Targeted delivery of immune-suppressing agents to the lung graft to prevent rejection
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-
Advanced body fat imaging to improve lung transplant outcomes
This project uses CT imaging of fat distribution to better predict who will do well with a lung transplant and when to list them, with the goal of improving survival after transplant.
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.