Developing a new vaccine to effectively cure HIV
Official title: Harnessing Highly Networked HLA-E-Restricted CTL Epitopes to Achieve a Broadly Effective HIV Cure
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11035107 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new vaccine that aims to help the immune system fight HIV by focusing on parts of the virus that are less likely to change, and it's especially for people who can naturally control HIV without treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,169,000 |
| NIH project number | 5DP1DA058476-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11035107 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV, especially those who have shown a natural ability to control the virus without treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not infected with HIV or those with advanced AIDS may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a vaccine that targets specific parts of the HIV virus, known as CTL epitopes, which are recognized by the immune system. By using a novel approach that combines network analysis with protein structure data, the research aims to identify and utilize these epitopes that are less likely to mutate. The goal is to develop a vaccine that can stimulate a strong immune response against HIV, potentially leading to a functional cure. Patients who have a natural ability to control HIV without therapy are particularly relevant to this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a groundbreaking vaccine that effectively controls or cures HIV infection.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting specific HIV epitopes, but this approach is innovative and aims to address challenges that have not been fully explored.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gaiha, Gaurav Das — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Gaiha, Gaurav Das
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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.