Strategies to prevent kidney injury from vancomycin in treating tough bacteria
Official title: Strategies to Avoid Drug Induced Kidney Injury in the Treatment of Multi-Drug Resistant Pathogens
Funded at Midwestern University · NIH-11374730 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to keep vancomycin safe for adults and kids by understanding how other drugs and protections change when used together and using data to guide precise dosing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Midwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Downers Grove, United States) |
| Project start | June 24, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $296,150 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI190716-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11374730 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include adults and children receiving vancomycin for severe infections, particularly when other nephrotoxic drugs or protective strategies are involved.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not receiving vancomycin or not at risk for kidney injury from this antibiotic may not benefit.
What this research studies
Doctors and scientists will study how kidney toxicity from the antibiotic vancomycin changes when given with other medications, using both patient data and age-appropriate animal models. They will identify dynamic toxicity thresholds so dosing can be tailored for safety and effectiveness in adults and children. The work connects laboratory findings to clinical practice by simulating dosing strategies that minimize kidney injury. The long-term goal is to improve kidney safety while treating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This could help clinicians choose better dosing and protective strategies for vulnerable patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive vancomycin with safer dosing that reduces kidney injury while effectively treating serious infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows a link between vancomycin exposure and kidney injury and that biomarkers like KIM-1 can indicate injury, supporting a translational approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Midwestern University
Downers Grove, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Scheetz, Marc Howard — Midwestern University
- Study coordinator: Scheetz, Marc Howard
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.