Targeting inflammation and clot breakdown to boost empyema treatment
Official title: Concurrent targeting of inflammation and the inhibition of the fibrinolytic system to increase the efficacy of empyema treatment
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Ctr at Tyler · NIH-11369635 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-focused study tests a low-dose alteplase plus an inflammation-blocking peptide to improve drainage and survival for adults with empyema who can’t undergo surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Ctr at Tyler NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tyler, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $462,177 |
| NIH project number | 5R61HL175690-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11369635 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (typically 21+ years) with empyema or pleural sepsis who are candidates for non-surgical drainage.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose empyema is not related to pleural infection or who can safely undergo standard surgical or high-dose fibrinolytic therapy may see limited relevance.
What this research studies
This project uses preclinical rabbit models to explore how combining a low-dose clot-busting drug (alteplase) with a peptide that reduces inflammation and fibrosis could make non-surgical drainage more effective for empyema in adults. It builds on prior findings that the DSP peptide increases alteplase effectiveness and aims to see if adding a TREM-1 inhibitor (GF9) further improves outcomes. The researchers want to translate these findings toward treatments that help people who are too sick for surgery or standard fibrinolytic therapy. If successful, the approach could shorten recovery and improve survival for patients with advanced empyema. The study is conducted at the University of Texas Health Center at Tyler under the leadership of Andrey Komissarov, with a focus on conditions affecting the pleural space.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with empyema could have better outcomes with non-surgical drainage and lower mortality.
How similar studies have gone: Previous rabbit-model studies showed improved efficacy with Altleteplase and DSP; human translation is being explored but clinical effectiveness remains to be demonstrated.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Ctr at Tyler
Tyler, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Komissarov, Andrey — University of Texas Hlth Ctr at Tyler
- Study coordinator: Komissarov, Andrey
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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.