Preventing cell death in corneal cells to treat keratoconus without surgery
Official title: Prohibiting Cell Death in Human Keratocytes: New Insights for Non-surgical Keratoconus Treatment
Funded at Harvard Medical School · NIH-10917275 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new ways to help people with keratoconus, a condition that affects vision by thinning the cornea, by finding treatments that can keep important cells in the eye alive and healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $124,278 |
| NIH project number | 5K99EY035260-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10917275 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with keratoconus, particularly those experiencing progressive symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced keratoconus who have already undergone corneal transplant surgery may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on keratoconus, a condition that distorts vision due to a thinning cornea. The project aims to develop non-surgical treatments by preventing the death of keratocytes, the cells responsible for maintaining corneal structure. Researchers will explore small molecules and compounds that inhibit specific proteins involved in cell death pathways. By using advanced techniques like mass spectrometry, they will identify potential therapies that could stabilize the cornea and improve vision for patients with keratoconus.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, non-invasive treatment option for patients with keratoconus, potentially reducing the need for corneal transplants.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been research on keratoconus treatments, this specific approach targeting keratocyte apoptosis is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard Medical School
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Xinyue — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Liu, Xinyue
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Engineered Cornea Chip to Study Keratoconus Curvature
A patient-friendly model of keratoconus will be created on a tiny, engineered eye chip to study how shape changes affect eye tissue and to identify potential new treatments.
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How hormones and the pituitary may affect keratoconus
This project looks at whether sex hormones and pituitary signals change the cornea in people with keratoconus to help explain why the disease starts and progresses.
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Cell and genetic causes of keratoconus
Researchers are analyzing cell changes and genes in people with keratoconus to find early warning signs and new treatment targets.
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Wide-view cornea imaging to detect keratoconus
This project is building a wide-field corneal OCT scan to spot tiny early changes in the cornea in people with or at risk for keratoconus.
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Exploring the connection between keratoconus and sex hormones
This study is looking at how sex hormones might affect keratoconus, an eye condition that can worsen vision, to help find better ways to manage it and improve care for people dealing with this issue.
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Improving early detection of keratoconus using advanced imaging technology
This study is testing a new imaging technology that helps doctors spot keratoconus earlier by taking detailed pictures of the eye's surface, which could lead to better treatment and help protect your vision.
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.