Developing a new vaccine approach for tuberculosis and HIV co-infection
Harnessing B cells for TB vaccine development to improve therapy of TB and TB-HIV coinfection
This study is looking for ways to make tuberculosis treatment better for people with HIV by creating a vaccine that helps boost the immune system while they receive their usual medication, focusing on how certain immune cells called B cells can be more effective against TB.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hackensack University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hackensack, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10873743 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving tuberculosis (TB) treatment, especially for patients with HIV. It aims to develop a therapeutic vaccine that works alongside existing chemotherapy to enhance protection against TB and prevent relapse after treatment. By studying B cells, which play a crucial role in the immune response, the research seeks to identify new ways to activate these cells and improve their effectiveness against TB. The approach includes deep immunophenotyping to understand how TB infection alters B cell populations and their functions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with tuberculosis, especially those who are also living with HIV.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have tuberculosis or HIV may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more effective vaccine that significantly improves TB treatment outcomes for patients, particularly those co-infected with HIV.
How similar studies have performed: While there has been significant research on TB vaccines, this approach focusing on B cells is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in this context.
Where this research is happening
Hackensack, United States
- Hackensack University Medical Center — Hackensack, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gengenbacher, Martin Alfons — Hackensack University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Gengenbacher, Martin Alfons
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.