Work in Progress Seminar: Dr. Shirin Kalyan

Randomized placebo-controlled trial testing a first-in-class immunotherapy to restore innate immune function in the elderly

Decline in innate immune function in the elderly is closely linked to the development and progression of infections, metabolic dysfunction, and cancer. Age-related lung innate immune dysfunction contributes to increased susceptibility to serious lung infections, chronic lung diseases, and inflammatory disorders of the lung. This extreme vulnerability to infection in the elderly was made explicit by the COVID-19 pandemic, for which age is by far the greatest risk factor for COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Given their heightened risk for poor outcomes and complications from infections, cancer, and chronic inflammatory diseases, the elderly present a critically important clinical group who can benefit from safe and effective interventions to improve innate immune function.

To address this significant unmet need for innate immune protection in the elderly, we are conducting a randomized placebo-controlled trial to test whether immune dysfunction associated with immunosenescence can be ameliorated with treatment with QBKPN, a first-in-class microbial-based immunotherapy designed to train and enhance innate immunity in the lungs. Proof-of-concept studies of QBKPN’s pharmalogical effect in targeting lung innate immunity to overcome pathology has been demonstrated for lung cancer, peri-operative immune suppression resulting in lung metastasis, bacterial infection in aged animals, viral infection, COPD, and asthma. The primary outcomes of the trial will assess the functional change in innate immune response and safety. Clinical outcomes include morbidity from respiratory infections, mortality and quality of life.

This Work in Progress Seminar aims to be engaging and feedback on the trial and anticipated challenges are welcome!

This is a hybrid event, you may attend in person at the Hurlburt Auditorium (St. Paul’s Hospital) or virtually. Please register and indicate your preference.