Drugs that wake up hidden HIV so it can be removed
Towards HIV eradication: New concepts and potent compounds for PKC-mediated latency reversal
This project develops new compounds that wake up HIV hiding in cells to help the virus be cleared in people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11262875 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are designing and making new compounds that trigger (or "kick") HIV out of its hidden, inactive state so infected cells can be targeted and removed. They are building on a "kick and kill" approach that combines these latency-reversing agents with immune-based killers like natural killer (NK) cells. Early proof-of-concept showed promising results in humanized mouse models, including successful treatment interruption. The team aims to find more potent and better-tolerated compounds and strategies that could be moved toward human testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people living with HIV who are on suppressive antiretroviral therapy and interested in future trials of reservoir-reducing therapies.
Not a fit: People not on ART, with uncontrolled HIV replication, or with certain serious co‑existing health problems may not benefit from or be eligible for these approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could shrink or eliminate the hidden HIV reservoir and move toward an HIV cure or durable ART-free remission.
How similar studies have performed: Related "kick and kill" approaches have shown reservoir reductions in animal and early laboratory studies, but clear success in people has been limited so far and this work aims to improve on prior results.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zack, Jerome a. — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Zack, Jerome a.
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.