Creating enhanced CAR T cells to fight HIV

Developing Durable, Env-Boosted CAR T Cells for HIV Cure

NIH-funded research Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · NIH-10991673

This study is testing a new treatment that uses your own immune cells to better find and destroy cells infected with HIV, aiming to make these cells work longer and more effectively in your body.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionFred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project IDNIH-10991673 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a new type of CAR T cell therapy specifically designed to target and eliminate HIV-infected cells. The approach involves modifying patients' own T cells to express a chimeric antigen receptor that recognizes HIV proteins, enhancing their ability to identify and destroy infected cells. The researchers aim to address challenges such as the low visibility of HIV-infected cells and the decline in CAR T cell effectiveness over time. By boosting these modified T cells with additional stimuli, the goal is to improve their persistence and function in the body.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who are currently on antiretroviral therapy and have a detectable viral load.

Not a fit: Patients who are not living with HIV or those who have advanced AIDS may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a functional cure for HIV, significantly improving the quality of life for patients living with the virus.

How similar studies have performed: While CAR T cell therapies have shown success in treating certain cancers, the application of this technology for HIV is still in early stages, making this approach relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Seattle, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.