Using cell therapy to prevent graft-vs-host disease in blood cancer treatment
Cell therapy for GvHD
This study is looking at a new treatment to help blood cancer patients who are getting stem cell transplants by using a special therapy that aims to prevent a serious condition called graft-vs-host disease, making the transplant safer and more effective.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Loyola University Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Maywood, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11086172 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving treatments for patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) by developing a cell-based therapy that prevents graft-vs-host disease (GvHD). The approach involves using a probiotic exopolysaccharide to create tolerogenic dendritic cells that can inhibit the harmful T cell responses that lead to GvHD. The researchers will optimize the dosage of these cells and study how they work to protect patients from this severe complication. If successful, this therapy could significantly enhance the safety and effectiveness of HSCT for blood cancer patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with hematologic malignancies who are scheduled to undergo allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing stem cell transplantation or those with conditions unrelated to hematologic malignancies may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new therapy that significantly reduces the incidence of graft-vs-host disease in patients receiving stem cell transplants.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using cell-based therapies to mitigate GvHD, but this specific approach using probiotic exopolysaccharides is novel.
Where this research is happening
Maywood, United States
- Loyola University Chicago — Maywood, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Knight, Katherine L. — Loyola University Chicago
- Study coordinator: Knight, Katherine L.
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.