Understanding how inflammation affects patients after bone marrow transplants
Official title: Mechanistic Inflammatory Pathways in Graft Versus Host Disease
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-10627875 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how inflammation from graft versus host disease (GVHD) after a bone marrow transplant can affect thinking and behavior, and it's trying to find new ways to help manage these symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2020 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $700,162 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL154579-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10627875 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients who have undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and are experiencing symptoms of graft versus host disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not undergone bone marrow transplantation or those without symptoms of graft versus host disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates graft versus host disease (GVHD), a serious complication that can occur after bone marrow transplants. It focuses on how inflammation in the brain and other parts of the body can lead to cognitive and behavioral changes in patients. The researchers are exploring specific biological pathways, including the role of certain receptors and metabolic processes, to better understand how these inflammatory responses develop. By studying these mechanisms, the research aims to identify potential new treatments to alleviate the symptoms of GVHD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for patients suffering from GVHD, potentially reducing inflammation and associated cognitive issues.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in exploring inflammatory pathways in GVHD, but the specific mechanisms being investigated in this study are novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Drobyski, William R. — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Drobyski, William R.
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.