Understanding how acid reflux affects lung transplant outcomes
Official title: Physiologic and molecular mechanisms linking gastroesophageal reflux with chronic lung allograft dysfunction
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-10933924 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how stomach acid can affect lung transplant patients and cause problems with their new lungs, hoping to find better ways to help these patients feel better and improve their treatment options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $414,746 |
| NIH project number | 1P01HL169188-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10933924 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include lung transplant recipients who experience gastroesophageal reflux or related complications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not undergone lung transplantation or do not have gastroesophageal reflux may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the physiological and molecular mechanisms that link gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with complications in lung transplant recipients. It aims to identify how microaspiration of stomach contents can worsen conditions like primary graft dysfunction (PGD) and chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). By studying these connections, the research hopes to improve patient stratification for surgical interventions and develop new medical therapies to mitigate aspiration-related lung injury.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for lung transplant patients, potentially enhancing their long-term outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that understanding the mechanisms of GERD and its impact on lung health could lead to significant advancements in treatment, suggesting a promising avenue for this investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Perlman, Harris R — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Perlman, Harris R
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Omega Partial Fundoplication: a new implant to treat GERD
A new implantable device called the Omega Partial Fundoplication (Ω-PF) aims to simplify surgery for GERD and improve quality of life for adults with reflux who don’t respond well to medicines.
-
Understanding how reflux harms lung transplants and what to do about it
Researchers are studying how stomach contents leaking into the lungs affects transplant health and how to stop or slow this damage.
-
How acid reflux might harm lung transplants
This project explores whether stomach acid or tiny amounts of stomach contents that reach the lungs cause early and long-term problems in people who have had lung transplants.
-
How chronic acid reflux may cause harmful protein clumps that lead to esophagus cancer
This project tests whether long-term acid reflux causes damaging protein clumps in esophagus cells of people with chronic GERD or Barrett's esophagus that can help drive esophageal cancer.
-
Creating a mobile app to help patients with acid reflux ask better questions about their health
This study is creating a friendly mobile app called 'Esophagus-Qs' to help people with GERD ask the right questions during doctor visits, so they can feel more confident and involved in managing their health.
-
POEM vs Heller myotomy with Dor fundoplication for achalasia
This trial tests POEM against laparoscopic Heller myotomy with Dor fundoplication to see which procedure better helps adults with achalasia.
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.