Research Funding
John Janitz 2023
Role of Cardiovascular and Inflammatory Biomarkers in the Management of Patients on Immune Checkpoint Inhibition Therapy
Our primary aim is to assess the impact of ICI treatment on high sensitivity troponin levels in patients who did not have ICI-related myocarditis. We also are looking to assess the impact of ICI treatment on other cardiac and inflammatory pathways as measured by blood-based biomarkers.
Rogel Cancer Center- Rogel Cancer Center Discovery Award 11/01/2021 – 01/31/2024
Cardiovascular Complications of Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT): Creating Evidence-based Strategies for the Pre-Transplant Cardiovascular Evaluation.
Our objective is to identify a set of criteria that define HSCT candidates at high risk of post-transplantation CVD events. Then generate preliminary evidence of whther referral to a cardiovascular specialist prior to HSCT is associated with improved outcomes.
Frankel Cardiovascular Center Inaugural Grant Award 01/06/2023 - 01/01/2024
Cardio-Oncology Prehabilitation Program to Improve Cardiac Reserve in High-Risk Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
This award was evaluated by the Frankel CVC Directors based on potential to transform academic medicine. We received this award study the feasibility of a cardio-oncology prehabilitation program to improve cardiac reserve in high-risk patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
MICHR Kickstart Award- MTRAC for Life Sciences Innovation Hub 07/01/2022 - 06/30/2023
Designing anti-suPAR Therapeutics: A Novel Approach for Targeting Inflammation for the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease.
Through studies funded by the NIH, we have produced compelling epidemiologic, genetic and experimental evidence identifying soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) a promising pathogenic factor and therapeutic target for atherosclerosis. We are conducting phase 1 trials targeting suPAR through selective apheresis as a strategy to reduce risk of cardiovascualr disease.
National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute R01 07/01/2020 - 06/30/2025
National Institutes of Health
Role of suPAR in the Intersection between Cardiovascular and Kidney Disease
To investigate suPAR as a pathogenic factor for cardiovascular disease and probe current and potential treatments and preventative interventions.
Roche Diagnostics Investigator Initiated Study 03/01/2024-02/28/2025
Role of Cardiovascular Biomarkers in the Prognostication and Identification of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Myocarditis
Proposal aims to assess the clinical utility of cardiac and inflammatory blood-based biomarker measurements in the management of patients receiving ICI treatment.
Rogel Cancer Center Discovery Award & R01 Accelerator 11/01/2021-01/31/2024
Cardiovascular Complications of Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT): Creating Evidence-based Strategies for the Pre-Transplant Cardiovascular Evaluation
Defining incidence and predictors of CVD outcomes in patients undergoing HSCT to devise evidence-based strategies and criteria for pre-transplant risk stratification, optimization of CV health prior to therapy, and safe HSCT process and survivorship.
Completed Funding
Ortho Clinical Diagnostics 10/28/2021 - 10/27/2022
Effective Triage of Patients Presenting with COVID-19
Project aims to distinguish risks events associated with specific inflammatory biomarkers in patients hospitalized for COVID-19.
Gilead Research Scholar - Cardiovascular Comorbidities 10/01/2020-09/30/2022
Gilead Sciences Research Scholars Program
Deciphering the "suPAR" Pathway of Atherosclerosis: The Link Between the Heart, Kidneys, and Immune System
This project aims to decipher a pathogenic role for suPAR in atherosclerosis utilizing an adeno-associated viral vector murine model of disease, and to lay the groundwork for developing greatly needed therapies to reduce the progression of atherosclerosis in the setting of kidney disease.
National Institutes of Health 07/28/2021-07/27/2022
MICHR Catalyst
Use of Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor to Define High-risk HFpEF and Guide Spironolactone Therapy
Findings of this study will determine whether suPAR levels could be used to identify patients who would benefit from spironolactone, and whether suPAR should be incorporated into the eligibility criteria of trials assessing the benefits of HFpEF therapies.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 03/31/2020-03/30/2022
National Institutes of Health
The KIDCOV Study: Assessment of Kidney Injury and Associated Risk Factors for SARS-CoV-2
This project aims to identify COVID-19 outpatients eligible to participate in prospective KIDCOV study, assess long-term urine kidney injury among patients, and coordinate analysis of KIDCOV EMR data between USCF Data Coordinating Center and the AMC.
Frankel Cardiovascular Center COVID-19 Ignitor Grant 04/01/2020-12/31/2021
Frankel Cardiovascular Center
Effective Triaging of Patients with Suspected Covid-19 Using suPAR
To determine whether suPAR can be used to triage patients presenting with suspected Covid-19 respiratory symptoms; differentiating those who are more likely to have progressive disease and require a higher level of care.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 10/01/2020-12/31/2021
National Institutes of Health
DFU Clinical Research Unit COVID19 Supplemental Grant
Project goals are to ascertain in-hospital outcomes and inflammatory signatures within the entire M2C2, to deep phenotype M2C2 participants post-hospitalization to chronic vascular complications (DKD, DN and CVD), and inflammatory signatures, and to assess the post-hospitalization psychosocial outcomes of M2C2 participants.
Frankel Cardiovascular Center Research Amplifier Grant 01/01/2020-12/31/2020
Frankel Cardiovascular Center
Deciphering the “suPAR” Pathway of Atherosclerosis
To determine whether suPAR plays a causal role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis using histological and immunofluorescence techniques in tissue from suPAR overexpressing mice with genetically induced atherosclerosis
MI-Kickstart Grant 09/27/2019-09/26/2020
MTRAC for Life Sciences Innovation Hub
Using a ‘suPAR’ Biomarker to Guide the Management of Multi-vessel Coronary Artery Disease
To derive an appropriate cut-off level for the circulating biomarker suPAR and associated clinical algorithm in patients with high-risk coronary disease to identify patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease who would preferentially benefit from percutaneous coronary intervention rather than undergo coronary artery bypass surgery. State of Michigan Economic Development Program.
MICHR Grant 08/01/2019-07/31/2020
Michigan Insitute for Clinical and Health Research
Characterizing a 'suPAR' Biomarker of Risk: Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor and Subclinical Markers Of Atherosclerosis
To examine the correlation of suPAR levels with subclinical markers and progression of atherosclerosis, independently of declining kidney function, and improve the risk discrimination beyond conventional cardiovascular biomarkers and risk factors in a sample of the general population in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA.) 5 UL1 TR002240-03
MDDFAD Grant 07/01/2019-06/30/2020
NIH/Michigan Center for Contextual Factors in Alzheimer’s Disease
Using a “SuPAR” Biomarker to Evaluate the Burden of Inflammation and its Impact on the Ethnoracial Differences in Cognitive Decline
Characterizing levels of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) – a novel marker of chronic immune activation – in patients with AD, determine whether levels can predict declining cognitive function, and assess whether differences in the burden of inflammation accounts for ethnoracial differences in cognitive decline. 5 P30 AG059300-02
McKay Grant 02/01/2019-01/31/2020
UM Frankel Cardiovascular Center
Genetic Determinants and Heritability of Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor
The overarching objective of this proposal is to improve our understanding of the genetic and environmental factors that regulate suPAR. Precise estimation of the heritability of suPAR will clarify how much of the population variation is due to genetic factors.