Creating targeted therapies to eliminate HIV reservoirs in the body
Official title: Development of anti-PD-1-targeted chimeric antigen receptors and genetic circuits to deplete viral reservoirs in the nonhuman primate model of lentiviral infection
Funded at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · NIH-10839228 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring new treatments that could help people with HIV by using specially designed cells to target and remove infected cells from the immune system, with the hope of finding a way to control the virus better and improve overall health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $128,250 |
| NIH project number | 1K01AI181670-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10839228 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who have not achieved viral suppression despite antiretroviral therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not infected with HIV or those who have already achieved complete viral suppression may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing advanced therapies that target and eliminate HIV-infected cells in the immune system. By engineering chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) that specifically recognize PD-1 expressing cells, the project aims to enhance the safety and effectiveness of these treatments. The approach involves using nonhuman primate models to test the new CAR T cells, which have shown promise in eliminating HIV reservoirs while minimizing damage to other immune cells. Patients may benefit from a potential functional cure for HIV, reducing the risk of associated health complications.
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 gone: Previous research has shown success in using CAR T cell therapies for other conditions, but this specific approach targeting HIV reservoirs is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Eichholz, Karsten — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Eichholz, Karsten
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.