Restoring bone marrow blood vessels to prevent delayed radiation damage
Official title: Vascular niche restoration to prevent delayed effects of acute radiation exposure (DEARE) in the hematopoietic system
Funded at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · NIH-11400002 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to help people exposed to acute radiation by repairing the bone marrow’s blood vessel network to support healthier blood cell recovery over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $167,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI193964-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11400002 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with exposure to acute radiation who may benefit from future marrow-targeted therapies and close monitoring.
✕Less likely to help
People without a history of acute radiation exposure are unlikely to benefit from this marrow vascular approach.
What this research studies
After a severe radiation exposure, damage to the bone marrow can lead to long-term problems with blood cells and increased risk of cancer. This research tests whether restoring the vascular niche in the bone marrow can support regeneration of long-term hematopoietic stem cells and reduce ongoing damage. The study uses a preclinical or early-phase approach to understand how blood vessel health in the marrow influences recovery after radiation. If successful, it could point to new treatments to lessen delayed radiation effects in survivors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Improved recovery of the blood system after radiation and reduced risk of late complications for survivors.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that supporting the bone marrow niche can influence stem cell recovery after injury, but translating this to radiation-induced damage remains an early step.
Where this research is happening
-
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chute, John P — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Chute, John P
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Gas Marble therapy to protect skin after radiation exposure
This grant tests a new gas-based treatment delivered as gas marbles to help skin recover after radiation damage.
-
A drug that helps repair DNA after radiation exposure
A new drug candidate aims to help the body repair damaged DNA after accidental or wartime radiation exposure to reduce organ injury and death.
-
Non-invasive skin biomarkers for radiation exposure
A study to find and measure skin biomarkers that indicate radiation exposure using a painless tape-stripping method on skin.
-
Raman-based quick triage for radiation exposure
A new approach uses Raman spectroscopy and AI to quickly estimate radiation dose in people exposed to a radiological event, helping doctors decide who needs urgent treatment.
-
ACE2-agonist to reduce long-term radiation damage after ARS
Aims to test an ACE2-activating drug (diminazene aceturate) to lessen long-term organ damage after acute radiation exposure in adults.
-
Autofluorescence to measure radiation exposure and predict early danger
A new imaging approach uses naturally glowing signals in cells to quickly estimate radiation dose and the risk of severe illness after exposure.
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.