Understanding how immune cells contribute to chronic graft versus host disease
Official title: Role of autoreactivity in pathogenesis of chronic graft versus host disease
Funded at Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · NIH-11061894 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells contribute to chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) after a stem cell transplant, with the goal of finding new ways to prevent or treat this condition, so patients can potentially benefit from better treatments in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duarte, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $791,336 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL170099-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061894 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients who have undergone allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation and are experiencing symptoms of chronic graft versus host disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not undergone allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation or do not have chronic graft versus host disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of specific immune cells in the development of chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. By studying interactions between tissue-resident T and B cells in affected organs, the research aims to uncover new therapeutic targets that could help prevent or treat cGVHD. The approach includes using advanced models and biospecimens from patients to gain insights into the disease mechanisms. Patients may benefit from potential new treatments that arise from this understanding.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that significantly reduce the incidence and severity of chronic graft versus host disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding immune mechanisms in graft versus host disease, suggesting that this approach could lead to significant advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
Duarte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zeng, Defu — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: Zeng, Defu
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Targeting early oral GVHD to improve mouth health after stem cell transplant
A study at UW–Madison will explore why some transplant patients develop painful oral GVHD and test ideas to prevent and lessen mouth-related problems.
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Microbiome-based therapy for treatment-refractory GVHD after stem cell transplant
A microbiome-based therapy is being developed to help people who have graft-versus-host disease that doesn’t respond to standard treatments after a stem cell transplant.
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Role of altered mitochondria in preventing GVHD after stem cell transplant
This NIH grant explores how damaged mitochondria released during pre-transplant conditioning may trigger graft-versus-host disease and tests ways to fix mitochondrial dynamics to prevent GVHD.
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Fecal transplant plus fiber to treat graft-versus-host disease after blood stem cell transplant
A study to see if giving fecal transplant along with dietary fiber helps gut health and reduces complications in patients who have received a stem cell transplant and developed graft-versus-host disease.
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Using medium-chain fatty acids and a fat-sensing receptor to treat chronic graft-versus-host disease
This project looks at whether changing medium‑chain fatty acids or blocking a fat sensor called GPR84 can help people with chronic graft‑versus‑host disease after a bone marrow/stem cell transplant.
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Microbiome-based oral therapy for gut GVHD after stem cell transplant
Researchers are testing an oral live Biotherapeutic Product to help the gut microbiome improve graft-versus-host disease after stem cell transplant patients.
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.