Reducing leukemia relapse and graft-versus-host disease after donor stem-cell transplant by targeting CD83
Official title: Targeting CD83 to reduce leukemia relapse and GVHD after allogeneichematopoietic cell transplantation
Funded at Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp · NIH-11311289 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work uses engineered immune cells that target a protein called CD83 to try to prevent relapse of acute leukemias and reduce graft-versus-host disease in people receiving donor stem-cell transplants.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Buffalo, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $675,727 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL167232-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11311289 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people with acute leukemias (AML or ALL) who are undergoing or planned for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, particularly if their leukemia expresses CD83.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose leukemia lacks CD83 expression, those not receiving an allogeneic transplant, or those unable to receive cellular therapies may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
If you are having an allogeneic (donor) stem-cell transplant for acute myeloid or lymphoid leukemia, this project is developing CAR T cells that seek out a protein called CD83 found on many leukemia cells and on the donor T cells that cause GVHD. In lab and animal tests these CD83-directed CAR T cells killed leukemia cells and eliminated GVHD-causing cells while largely sparing the blood-forming stem cells. The team also made a dual 'OR' CAR that can target B-cell leukemia that shows either CD19 or CD83 to broaden coverage. The goal is to move these approaches closer to use around the time of transplant to both prevent relapse and control GVHD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lower relapse rates and prevent graft-versus-host disease, improving long-term survival and recovery after transplant.
How similar studies have gone: CAR T-cell therapies have proven effective for CD19-positive B-cell leukemias, but CD83-targeted CAR T is a newer strategy with promising preclinical results and limited clinical experience so far.
Where this research is happening
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Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp
Buffalo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Betts, Brian C — Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp
- Study coordinator: Betts, Brian C
Related research
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Targeting VLDLR to prevent both GvHD and leukemia relapse
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Improving outcomes for children and young adults with relapsed B-cell leukemia after CAR T-cell therapy
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Targeting a specific protein to prevent leukemia relapse and complications after stem cell transplants
This study is looking at a new way to help patients with leukemia who are getting a stem cell transplant by using special T cells that target a protein called CD83, which could help prevent the cancer from coming back and reduce side effects from the 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.