Using anti-CXCR3 antibodies to reduce brain inflammation caused by fungal infections
Official title: Offsetting CNS inflammatory damage with anti-CXCR3 antibody immunotherapy
Funded at Veterans Health Administration · NIH-11013785 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new treatment using an antibody to help protect brain cells from damage caused by a fungal infection, aiming to improve recovery for people with serious brain infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I21BX006349-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11013785 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals, particularly veterans, who are at risk of or have experienced central nervous system infections due to Cryptococcus neoformans.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have fungal infections or those with other unrelated neurological conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of anti-CXCR3 antibody therapy to protect neurons from inflammatory damage caused by the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, which can lead to severe brain infections. The study aims to validate preliminary findings from animal models that suggest this therapy could significantly reduce inflammation and improve outcomes for patients suffering from central nervous system infections. By targeting specific immune responses that contribute to brain damage, the research seeks to develop a new treatment approach for affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a novel therapy that reduces brain inflammation and improves recovery for patients with fungal infections.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using anti-CXCR3 antibodies has shown promise in animal models, it is still considered novel and has not yet been tested in human clinical trials.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Health Administration
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Olszewski, Michal a — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Olszewski, Michal a
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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.