Understanding lung scarring in children after stem cell transplant
Investigation of pulmonary fibrosis biology in pediatric hematopoietic cell transplant patients
Researchers will look at lung and blood samples from children who had allogeneic stem cell transplants to find signs and drivers of lung scarring.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11166375 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be asked to allow researchers to use fluid collected from your child's lungs (bronchoalveolar lavage) and a paired blood sample taken during standard care to study lung changes after transplant. The team will compare those samples to biopsy results and breathing tests to decide which children already have or are developing pulmonary fibrosis. They will analyze immune and molecular signals in the samples to find markers that predict or drive scarring. Results aim to help pick children who might benefit from new targeted therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children (including infants and those up to about 11 years old) who have received an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant and are undergoing bronchoscopy/BAL or follow-up for lung concerns would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Children who have not had a stem cell transplant, adults, or those not undergoing lung sampling/bronchoscopy would not be eligible and would not directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help catch lung scarring earlier and guide more personalized treatments to slow or prevent worsening in children after transplant.
How similar studies have performed: Related adult studies and preclinical work have found promising molecular targets for pulmonary fibrosis, but applying these approaches specifically in pediatric transplant patients is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zinter, Matthew Scott — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Zinter, Matthew Scott
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.