Treating antibody-driven transplant rejection by targeting B cells
Targeting the B Cell Response to Treat Antibody-Mediated Rejection
This project aims to lower the antibodies that attack transplanted organs by removing the cells that make them and blocking B cell activity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11099734 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have a transplanted organ and antibodies are attacking it, the team is combining drugs that deplete plasma cells (the cells that produce antibodies) with drugs that disrupt B cell activation to reduce harmful donor-specific antibodies. The approach uses a proteasome inhibitor together with belatacept to remove existing antibody-producing cells while preventing new ones from forming. Work builds on promising results in nonhuman primates and early human data, and will track antibody levels, organ inflammation, and organ function over time. The team will also monitor for increased infection risk and other side effects during and after treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are solid-organ transplant recipients—especially kidney transplant patients—who have established antibody-mediated rejection or persistently high donor-specific antibody levels.
Not a fit: Patients whose graft problems are due to non-antibody causes, who do not have donor-specific antibodies, or who cannot tolerate intensified immunosuppression or are at very high infection risk may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lower donor-specific antibodies, preserve transplanted organs longer, reduce the need for re-transplantation, and extend patient survival.
How similar studies have performed: Related strategies showed promising results in nonhuman primate models and some early human data, but larger clinical testing is still needed to confirm safety and benefit.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Knechtle, Stuart Johnston — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Knechtle, Stuart Johnston
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 below.