Understanding how the COVID-19 vaccine works in patients with lupus and scleroderma

Mechanisms of BNT162b2 Vaccine Immunogenicity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or Scleroderma

NIH-funded research Stanford University · NIH-11047679

This study is looking at how well the COVID-19 vaccine works for people with lupus and scleroderma, two autoimmune diseases, to see how their immune systems respond and to ensure the vaccine is safe for them.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionStanford University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Stanford, United States)
Project IDNIH-11047679 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine in individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and scleroderma, both of which are autoimmune diseases. The study aims to identify how these patients respond to the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine, focusing on safety, efficacy, and the underlying mechanisms of their immune responses. By enrolling a larger cohort of patients, the research will analyze various immune markers and responses over time to better understand the variability in vaccine effectiveness among these immunocompromised individuals.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma.

Not a fit: Patients without autoimmune conditions or those who are not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved vaccination strategies and better health outcomes for patients with autoimmune diseases.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown varying immune responses to COVID-19 vaccines in immunocompromised populations, indicating that this research is building on existing knowledge but is focused on a specific patient group.

Where this research is happening

Stanford, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.