| What is the Immune Tolerance Network |
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The Immune Tolerance Network is am international research consortium designed to advance the clinical application of immune tolerance therapies by evaluating and researching new and improved therapeutic strategies in human disease. The ITN conducts clinical trials and associated studies of the mechanisms of tolerance in kidney, liver and islet transplantation, autoimmune diseases, and asthma & allergic diseases. The ITN is comprised of leading scientific and medical faculty from over 50 institutions in 9 countries worldwide and employs over 60 full-time staff . The ITN is currently conducting or planning over 20 clinical trials, each including an array of associated bioassay studies, oversees 10 core bioassay facilities at remote laboratories and is conducting a number of bioassay validation studies. |
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| Where is the ITN located? |
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The ITN is headquartered at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and maintains satellite offices in Bethesda, MD and Pittsburgh, PA. |
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| How is the ITN funded? |
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The ITN is funded by the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation who, together, have provided over $140 million dollars over 7 years.
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| What indications does the ITN study? |
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The ITN is studying tolerance in graft rejection of
islet, kidney and liver transplantation;
autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus,
multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease,
and others; and allergy & asthma.
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| Why are ITN clinical trials so unique? |
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Each clinical trial supported by the ITN goes beyond the usual endpoints of safety and efficacy by supplementing each trial with a package of bioassay studies that seek information about the immunological, genetic and cellular mechanisms of the treatment or the disease under investigation. |
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| What kind of funding and support is offered by the ITN? |
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In addition to research funding for select projects, the ITN provides investigators with a wide range of services and expertise in the design, planning, implementation and analysis of clinical trials and tolerance assay studies. This includes protocol development assistance, regulatory support, protocol monitoring, information systems and bioinformatics and statistical support. As well, ITN investigators have access to the guidance and experience of world-leading investigators on the ITN Steering Committee. |
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| How can I apply for funding and support? |
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Simply complete a short, ~4 page "Concept Proposal" and submit it through the ITN website! |
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| What's so unique about the ITN peer-review system ? |
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The ITN has created a unique, two-stage peer-review system that speeds the review process for applicants. Applicants first submit a short, ~4 page "Concept Proposal" through the ITN website that focuses on the idea presented. Successful concept proposal applicants are then asked to submit a more complete, "Full Application" to the ITN that is reviewed more rigorously by the ITN. Prior to final scoring, applicants are invited to meet ITN reviewers in a face-to-face Q&A session to clarify details of the application and discuss areas of concern. |
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| Who should I contact about...? |
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Please see "Who to ask" on the contacts page. |
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