Boosting Antibodies to Help Treat HIV
Native-like Envelope Trimer Therapeutic Vaccination for Induction of Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies to Facilitate HIV Functional Cure
This project explores a new type of vaccination to help people with HIV produce strong antibodies that can fight the virus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11062702 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many people living with HIV develop some natural antibodies, but only a few make the powerful kind that can fight many different strains of the virus. This project believes that many individuals with HIV might already have the early forms of these strong antibodies. Researchers are developing a special vaccine designed to awaken and boost these existing early antibodies. The goal is to help the body produce its own broadly neutralizing antibodies, which could offer a new way to manage HIV.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is most relevant for individuals who have been living with chronic HIV-1 infection and are currently on suppressive antiretroviral therapy.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have HIV-1 infection or are not receiving antiretroviral therapy may not directly benefit from this specific therapeutic approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help people with HIV create their own powerful antibodies, potentially leading to better control of the virus or even a functional cure.
How similar studies have performed: While passive transfer of broadly neutralizing antibodies has shown promise in clinical trials, this approach of actively inducing them through therapeutic vaccination is a novel strategy.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Riddler, Sharon — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Riddler, Sharon
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.