“For too long, patients who survive these reactions have been left without clear answers about why it happened, which medicines are safe, and what the future holds,” said Elizabeth Phillips, MD, who is leading the consortium.

Individuals taking the drug saw a significant drop in inflammatory cell clumps within just two weeks, and the reduction grew even stronger by week 12.

The human monoclonal antibodies were isolated from two individuals who had been infected by measles. Further development and clinical testing could lead to the first monoclonal antibody therapy against the highly infectious respiratory virus.

The team's findings could lead to new strategies which improve efficacy of these treatments and expand lifesaving options for cancer patients.

The findings do not mean that these drugs are ready to be used clinically for preterm labor; rather, they identify promising candidates for further development.

His presentation, “Molecular Chaperones in Protein Folding and Proteome Health,” begins at 4 p.m. in 202 Light Hall on the Vanderbilt Health Main Campus.

The ASM awards highlight the ‘strength and breadth’ of microbiology research at Vanderbilt Health — from advancing clinical diagnostics to uncovering fundamental mechanisms in the gut microbiome.