Platelets and abdominal aortic aneurysm growth

Platelets as Biosensors and Mediators of Aortic Aneurysm Growth

NIH-funded research Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-11109654

Looking at whether blocking a specific platelet receptor can help slow aneurysm growth in older adults with abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cleveland, United States)
Project IDNIH-11109654 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers will work with platelets taken from people with abdominal aortic aneurysms and expose them to blood-flow conditions that mimic aneurysms. They will study a newly identified receptor on the platelet surface that appears to make platelets overactive and release proteins linked to faster aneurysm growth. Lab tests will compare how blocking that receptor works versus aspirin and other antiplatelet approaches. The team will also look for platelet-derived proteins in blood that could act as biomarkers to tell who has a fast-growing aneurysm.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults (about 65 and older) who have an unruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm and can provide blood samples or attend visits at the study site.

Not a fit: People without an abdominal aortic aneurysm, those with a ruptured aneurysm requiring emergency care, or patients whose aneurysm is unrelated to platelet activity are unlikely to benefit from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could produce the first drug approach to slow aneurysm growth and blood tests to identify patients at high risk of rapid enlargement.

How similar studies have performed: Prior work suggests aspirin can partially slow aneurysm growth, but targeting the platelet olfactory receptor and using platelet proteins as biomarkers is a new and untested approach.

Where this research is happening

Cleveland, 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.