The ImmunOptimize Network
A planned clinical trials network to protect those individuals who are at the highest risk of infection, led by the Infectious Disease Sciences Program in the Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division at Fred Hutch Cancer Center.
Learn more about supporting the ImmunOptimize Network through our ongoing fundraising efforts.
The Problem
Individuals with suppressed immune systems are largely excluded from clinical trials. Their exclusion results in several unanswered questions of how new therapies should be provided to prevent or treat infections in this population, despite being at the highest risk of complications and death. Often, this lack of information causes significant delays before these patients can safely access lifesaving vaccines and therapies.
People with reduced immunity are disproportionately affected by infections and other diseases. Over 6.6% of Americans are immunocompromised, including cancer patients, organ transplant recipients, people with autoimmune disorders, and people with chronic conditions.
Everyone’s health is connected. Many infections, like measles, can reemerge in these high-risk individuals and spread, impacting entire communities. Unchecked and lingering infections in these patients also contribute to the emergence of new variants.
The Solution
Create a national clinical trials network for people with weakened immune systems - conduct parallel clinical trials for vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, antiviral drugs, and other innovative medicines in a timely manner and in larger scale to guide meaningful criteria for effectiveness and safety.
Why This Matters to Patients
This is a neglected but large and growing population whose quality of life continues to be substantially impacted by infections and other diseases. We, as a society, can and should do better to collect the information required to protect these susceptible populations and save lives.
The pandemic highlighted just how vulnerable populations with severely weakened immune systems, like those with cancer, are to new and existing infectious diseases. This is a major gap in our country’s public health response that leaves many people feeling isolated and ignored.
Clinical trials in these vulnerable populations require specialized expertise, as they may respond differently to therapies, need varied treatment dose or duration, and have unique side effects. Although these issues can be easily addressed, they are generally ignored in favor of speed and accessibility. When we invest in those most at risk, we strengthen the health of our entire community. ImmunOptimize is our chance to make a lasting difference—one that echoes far beyond the lab and into the lives of millions
2024 Inaugural Workshop
Thank you to all participants who attended the Inaugural Workshop to develop a network focused on immunotherapeutic approaches to prevent and treat infections in immunocompromised patients on September 10, 2024, in Bethesda, MD!
Experts urge clinical trials network to study infectious disease therapies in immunocompromised patients
By Claire Hudson
More than 6% of Americans are immunocompromised, yet most clinical trials exclude them. The ImmunOptimize Network is trying to fix that.
New horizons in infectious disease treatment and prevention in immunocompromised patients
By Sabrina Richards
The 5th Symposium on Infectious Disease in the Immunocompromised Host emphasized new opportunities, next generation
Addressing the Infectious Disease Challenges in Immunocompromised Patients
By Sophia Abene
As therapies that impact the immune system become more common, patients are living longer but with increased susceptibility to infections, including viral, bacterial, fungal, and emerging diseases.
Infectious disease experts propose trials network dedicated to immunocompromised patients
ImmunOptimize workshop convened stakeholders across disciplines to brainstorm infectious disease clinical trials network designed to serve people with weakened immune systems
Contact Us
We welcome you to fill out our inquiry form if you are interested in working with or supporting the ImmunOptimize Network.
For questions, please reach out to us.