Developing a vaccine to protect against hepatitis C virus
Official title: A vaccine design to induce protective B and T cell immunity against hepatitis C virus
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11074564 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a vaccine to help people who have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus by boosting their immune system to fight off the virus, similar to how some people naturally recover from it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2021 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $2,268,699 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AI159840-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11074564 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk of hepatitis C infection, including those with potential exposure to the virus.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are already infected with hepatitis C or those with advanced liver disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to create a vaccine that can prevent disease progression in individuals exposed to the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It focuses on understanding how some patients naturally clear the virus and develop immunity, and seeks to replicate this immune response through vaccination. The approach involves inducing strong and lasting immune responses from both B and T cells, which are crucial for fighting off the virus. The project includes multiple components that work together to enhance the effectiveness of the vaccine.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a vaccine that significantly reduces the risk of hepatitis C infection and its associated complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing vaccines for viral infections, but this specific approach to hepatitis C is novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Foung, Steven — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Foung, Steven
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Rational hepatitis C vaccine design guided by natural clearance patterns
A Johns Hopkins team is studying how some people naturally clear hepatitis C to guide a vaccine that could prevent infection.
-
Real-world patient and clinician preferences to improve prenatal care for women with OUD and HCV
Researchers are exploring how pregnant women with opioid use disorder and hepatitis C, along with their clinicians, would like to receive care to improve outcomes for moms and babies.
-
Co-infection patterns of HIV, hepatitis C, and sexually transmitted infections among rural people who inject drugs during an HIV outbreak
A small, patient-focused study will look at how HIV, hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted infections occur together in rural people who inject drugs during an HIV outbreak, and what factors relate to these co-infections.
-
Low-threshold hepatitis C treatment in jail to help people released back to the community
A patient-friendly plan to test a simple, quick hepatitis C treatment in jail for people who use drugs, with care that continues after release.
-
Precise, rapid HCV detection from blood at the point of care
Aiming to provide a fast, easy blood test to detect hepatitis C right where care is delivered.
-
Hepatitis C screening tool used in the Emergency Department
A new ED screening tool helps identify people at risk for hepatitis C so they can get diagnosed and treated sooner.
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.