cedars-sinai Medical Center

Grant Research Project: Clinical Testing of Immune Parameters to Monitor Sensitized Transplant Patients for Relapses

The grant commenced in 2021 and is directed to Dr Stanley Jordan’s team at Cedars Sinai. Prior grants have been to support a technician and provide lab supplies for the duration of this study. One of the major barriers to successful transplantation is preformed anti-HLA antibodies. Sensitization to HLA antigens occurs as a result of exposure to HLA antigens of others through blood products, pregnancy, and previous transplants. Sensitized patients now account for a substantial percentage (30% in USA) of those on the renal-transplant waiting lists. Waiting times for sensitized patients are much longer than those for nonsensitized patients, and the immunologic obstacles to transplantation often preclude successful transplantation, requiring highly HLA sensitized (HS) patients to remain, and die, on dialysis.  

In Dr. Jordan’s current clinical trial, which began in 2010, he has seen a dramatic reduction in chronic graft loss from antibody rejection in patients treated with tocilizumab. This could save hundreds of organs from rejection each year, improving patient lives and reducing costs to the health care system. Animal models in this study are yielding highly useful information to guide clinical treatments and research.  In addition, Dr. Jordan is studying a novel anti-IL-6 monoclonal (clazakuzumab) for treatment of antibody-mediated rejection and desensitization. The clinical trial for treatment of antibody-mediated rejection is being developed as a prototype for an FDA-approved study. 

Study outcomes are already leading to further development of this treatment across various types of transplants. An NIH grant was funded for trials in human heart transplantation, and collaboration is underway with Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital to further develop this therapy in animal models and transplant recipients. At this point, it appears that heart and lung transplant patients are most likely to benefit from this treatment, along with the kidney transplant patients currently being tested.

Back to our grants

Current Grant
$50,000

Grant Term
One Year

Cumulative Grants
$295,000