Profiling immune responses in patients with opioid use disorder to develop targeted antibodies
Official title: Immunoprofiling of Opioid Use Disorder Patients to inform structure-guided design of opioid-specific monoclonal antibodies
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-10932873 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how people with opioid use disorder respond to opioids in their bodies, with the goal of creating special antibodies that can help block the effects of opioids in the brain, offering a new treatment option for those struggling with addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $36,233 |
| NIH project number | 5F31DA059261-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10932873 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with opioid use disorder who are experiencing challenges with current treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have opioid use disorder or those who are not currently using opioids may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the immune responses of patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) to design monoclonal antibodies that specifically target opioids. By analyzing the B cell receptor repertoire in these patients, the study aims to create antibodies that can bind to opioid molecules in the bloodstream, preventing them from affecting the brain. This approach seeks to provide a new treatment option that is more effective than current medications, which often do not adequately address the crisis of opioid overdoses. The research will involve collecting patient samples and using advanced techniques to develop these targeted therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a novel treatment for opioid use disorder that reduces the effects of opioids in the body and helps prevent overdoses.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using monoclonal antibodies for opioid treatment is innovative, similar strategies have shown promise in other areas of addiction and drug overdose prevention.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Yue — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Yue
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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.