Designing antiviral treatments for HTLV-1 infection
Official title: Structure-based Antiviral Design against HTLV-1 Protease
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-10895961 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on creating new medicines to fight the Human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV-1), which can cause serious health issues, by targeting a specific part of the virus to stop it from spreading, helping those affected by this virus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $36,260 |
| NIH project number | 5F31AI179014-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10895961 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are infected with HTLV-1 or at risk of developing related conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not infected with HTLV-1 or do not have related conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new antiviral drugs specifically targeting the protease enzyme of the Human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1), which affects millions globally and can lead to serious conditions like adult T-cell lymphoma. The approach involves using advanced techniques in crystallography and rational drug design to create potent inhibitors that can prevent the virus from replicating. By understanding the structure of the HTLV-1 protease, researchers aim to design treatments that not only effectively combat the virus but also reduce the likelihood of resistance developing during treatment. This innovative strategy is crucial given the lack of existing direct-acting antivirals or vaccines for HTLV-1.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective antiviral treatments for HTLV-1, improving survival rates and quality of life for affected patients.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been significant success in developing antiviral treatments for other viruses like HIV-1, this specific approach targeting HTLV-1 protease is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zvornicanin, Sarah N — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Zvornicanin, Sarah N
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.