Novel immunological assessment of Aplastic Anaemia and post transplant Graft Dysfunction for the purposes of targeted therapeutic intervention.  

2019-2023 (Co-funded VCA/Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision International Travelling Fellowship): Novel immunological assessment of Aplastic Anaemia and post transplant Graft Dysfunction for the purposes of targeted therapeutic intervention. Dr Ashvind Prabahran, Melbourne Health.

Aplastic Anaemia results from the immune system attacking the bone marrow spontaneously. Poor Graft Function (PGF) refers to a type of bone marrow failure that occurs after bone marrow transplantation when, despite the recipient’s bone marrow being filled with 100% donor cells, the donor bone marrow fails to function. PGF results in significant complications for patients after bone marrow transplant and further understanding of this condition is required. Aplastic Anaemia and PGF both result in low blood cell levels and there may be similarities between these two conditions. If we can confirm similarities with Aplastic Anaemia, this will allow the faster development of therapies in both PGF and Aplastic Anaemia, as patients with PGF and Aplastic Anaemia can be studied together in future clinical trials.