Better ways to test vaccines and antibody protection against changing viruses
Statistical Methods for Efficacy Trials of Vaccines and Monoclonal Antibodies Against Genetically-Diverse Pathogens
['FUNDING_R37'] · FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER · NIH-11087462
This project develops new statistical tools to help researchers understand how vaccines and protective antibodies work against viruses like HIV, dengue, malaria, and COVID-19 so future vaccines can protect more people.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R37'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SEATTLE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11087462 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From my point of view, researchers are creating statistical methods to analyze data from vaccine and broadly neutralizing antibody (bnAb) trials against genetically diverse viruses. They look at immune markers measured over time and at fixed times after vaccination to link those markers to the chance of getting infected by any strain or by strains with specific genetic features. The team aims to combine multiple immune measurements into summary markers that predict protection and handle differences across pathogens like HIV-1, SARS-CoV-2, dengue, and malaria. These methods will be applied to data from randomized, controlled prevention trials to improve how trial results guide vaccine development.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People at risk for HIV, COVID-19, dengue, or malaria and those who join vaccine or antibody clinical trials are the most directly connected to this work.
Not a fit: People not affected by these infections and not participating in related trials are unlikely to see a direct personal benefit from this grant's activities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these methods could speed up and improve vaccine development by identifying immune signs that predict protection against varied virus strains.
How similar studies have performed: Related immune-correlate and statistical work has informed past vaccine trials, but combining time-varying and strain-specific markers in this integrated way is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
SEATTLE, UNITED STATES
- FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER — SEATTLE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: GILBERT, PETER B. — FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER
- Study coordinator: GILBERT, PETER B.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome