# University of Michigan Core Clinical Center for the BMT Research Network

> **NIH NIH UG1** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2020 · $147,352

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI) has made major
scientific contributions to the BMT CTN over the past 15 years. The University of Michigan is now partnering with
Indiana University (Indianapolis, IN) and the Karmanos Cancer Institute (Detroit, MI) to participate as a Core
Clinical Consortia for the BMT CTN Network. Collectively, our 3-member consortia currently perform over 750
transplants/year, including 300+ allogeneic and 85 pediatric transplants annually. Our consortia has a strong
emphasis in non-malignant disorders, with over 1500 patients with sickle cell disease currently followed at
consortium sites, and 46 transplants for sickle cell disorders collectively performed to date. Our consortia is
likewise strong in pediatric disorders, with each site affiliated with a Children's Hospital on their respective
campus. We have a track record for translating early phase, clinical trials to multicenter studies, have
comprehensive biorepositories as foundations for our programs, and have physician scientists (Dr. Pavan
Reddy, Dr. Hal Broxmeyer, Dr. Sophie Paczesny) with a history of academic success. Our research strategy
will propose a new paradigm, one that focuses on the inhibition of damage response pathways as a potential
mechanism to prevent the organ toxicity associated with conditioning and GVHD. The release of damage
associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) from non-specific host tissue injury is a consequence of pre-HCT
conditioning. DAMPs provide crucial initiating signals that lead to activation of antigen presenting cells (APC),
triggering potentially lethal inflammatory responses. Based upon pre-clinical work from the laboratory of Pavan
Reddy (PI: Scientific Lead), and a pilot study currently being run at consortia sites, we are now proposing a
randomized, placebo controlled trial of a damage response modifier, CD24Fc, in unrelated donor transplant
recipients. Due to its long half-life, the agent is only required to be given only once during transplant, on day -1
pre-transplant. The primary endpoint will be day 100 acute GVHD. Secondary endpoints will examine the effect
of CD24Fc administration on DAMP's dependent inflammatory signaling post-HCT. We anticipate that this trial
will not only mitigate the onset and severity of GVHD in recipients, but will advance our understanding of the
biology and clinical importance of regulating key damage response pathways after HCT. Our consortia is
committed to advancing the scientific agenda of the BMT CTN, and feel this research strategy will provide new
insights into reducing both GVHD and regimen related toxicities associated with HCT. Our three centers are not
just close in geographic proximity, but are closely aligned to address key transplant issues within the CTN.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9940856
- **Project number:** 5UG1HL069330-20
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** PAVAN REDDY
- **Activity code:** UG1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $147,352
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2001-09-30 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9940856

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9940856, University of Michigan Core Clinical Center for the BMT Research Network (5UG1HL069330-20). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-14 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9940856. Licensed CC0.

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