VisR ultrasound to monitor antibody-driven rejection after a kidney transplant
VisR Ultrasound for Monitoring Antibody-Mediated Rejection in Renal Transplant Patients
A new ultrasound method called VisR is being used to look for antibody-related rejection in people who have received a kidney transplant.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11237604 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have regular noninvasive ultrasound exams using a technique called VisR to look for early signs that antibodies are attacking your transplanted kidney. The research team will compare VisR images with blood and urine biomarkers and, when available, biopsy results to see how well VisR detects rejection before damage becomes severe. The approach aims to identify rejection earlier than current methods so treatments can start sooner and irreversible fibrosis can be avoided. Visits would include scheduled imaging and routine lab checks over time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with a kidney transplant who are at risk for or suspected of having antibody-mediated rejection.
Not a fit: People without a kidney transplant, those whose graft problems are from non-antibody causes, or those with already irreversible graft fibrosis are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could detect antibody-mediated rejection earlier, reduce the need for invasive biopsies, and help prolong transplant function.
How similar studies have performed: Standard ultrasound and biomarker approaches have been nonspecific, and VisR is a newer imaging method with limited but promising preliminary data rather than long-established success.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gallippi, Caterina M — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Gallippi, Caterina M
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.