Developing a vaccine to help the immune system control HIV

Ad26 Based Therapeutic Vaccines for HIV

NIH-funded research Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · NIH-11067857

This study is testing a new vaccine that could help people with HIV-1 boost their immune system so they can better control the virus on their own, possibly even without needing ongoing medication.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11067857 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to create a therapeutic vaccine that enhances the immune response against HIV-1, potentially allowing patients to control the virus without ongoing antiretroviral therapy (ART). The approach involves using a combination of a specific vaccine and a TLR7 agonist to stimulate the immune system and target the latent viral reservoir. By evaluating the vaccine's effectiveness in HIV-infected individuals, the researchers hope to determine its ability to maintain viral control after stopping ART. The study also explores the addition of broadly neutralizing antibodies to improve the vaccine's efficacy.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV-1 who are currently on ART and are interested in exploring new treatment options.

Not a fit: Patients who are not infected with HIV or those who are not currently on ART may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a functional cure for HIV, allowing patients to live without continuous ART.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in similar therapeutic vaccine approaches in animal models, but human studies have had limited success, making this a novel and critical area of investigation.

Where this research is happening

Boston, 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 acute infection
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.