Early HIV treatment with antibodies to boost immune protection
Official title: Early interventions at ART initiation to reduce the HIV-1 reservoir and enhance adaptive immune responses
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11614277 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant tests whether starting HIV treatment early and giving a special antibody can strengthen the body's immune response and shrink the virus reservoir for better long-term control.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | August 19, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $148,485 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AI184285-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11614277 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with HIV who start ART early after infection and participate in ancillary studies using samples from the eCLEAR trial.
✕Less likely to help
Results may not benefit people whose HIV is not sensitive to the 3BNC117 antibody or who cannot receive this specific immunotherapy.
What this research studies
Researchers will study people who began ART soon after HIV infection and received a broadly neutralizing HIV antibody (3BNC117). They will examine the immune cells and viral reservoirs to understand how the antibody affects CD8+ T cell responses. The study uses samples from an earlier trial (eCLEAR) to pinpoint mechanisms that led to viral control. By identifying which immune features predict success, the team aims to guide future immunotherapies started at ART initiation. The work brings together experts from UPenn, Weill Cornell, and Aarhus University to translate findings into potential HIV cure strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could inform new treatment approaches that enhance immune control of HIV starting at ART initiation.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier eCLEAR trials showed enhanced CD8+ T cell responses with 3BNC117, suggesting potential for improved viral control.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Betts, Michael R — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Betts, Michael R
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.