Research area: Infection and Immunity > Molecular Immunity

Overview

Allogeneic Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is the only treatment option for many children with leukemia, immune deficiency syndromes and metabolic disorders.

Approximately 100 children in Australia and New Zealand undergo HSCT per year, 30 per cent of which are performed at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH).

While curing the underlying condition, allo-HSCT can unfortunately result in lung complications in up to 25 per cent of patients. Of this 25 per cent, up to 40 per cent of these patients have significant morbidity and mortality.

The development and progression of specific lung diseases post-HSCT is not well understood. As a result, there are no strategies for early detection and limited therapies to target the underlying disease process.

BREATH study

The BREATH study involves the establishment of a single-centre longitudinal cohort study that collects correlative clinical data and serial respiratory and blood specimens from children undergoing allo-HSCT at The Royal Children’s Hospital.

Patient samples will be collected during routine general anaesthesia appointments throughout clinical treatment.

These samples will include bronchoalveolar fluid collected via bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchial and nasal brushings.

The aim of this study is to characterise the immune profiles associated with both the preservation of lung health post-HSCT as well as the development of lung complications (infective and non-infective). 

Eligibility

While the study is open, any child undergoing HSCT at The Royal Children’s Hospital or any child who develops a lung complication in the 12 months post-HSCT is eligible to enrol in the study.

The outcome of this project is to describe the ‘normal’ and ‘dysfunctional’ lung immune recovery post-HSCT.

This study is a critical step towards optimising HSCT outcomes for children undergoing HSCT.