Effects of treating a virus on heart health in HIV patients
Official title: Impact of Treating Asymptomatic CMV Replication on Cardiovascular Risk in Treated HIV Infection
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10672319 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether treating a common virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV) can help improve heart health in people living with HIV who don’t have symptoms, by using a new antiviral drug, letermovir, to see if it reduces inflammation and lowers the risk of heart problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2020 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $765,877 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL152957-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10672319 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who are on antiretroviral therapy and have asymptomatic CMV replication.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have HIV or those who are not experiencing asymptomatic CMV replication may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how treating asymptomatic cytomegalovirus (CMV) replication may reduce cardiovascular risk in individuals living with HIV. The study will assess whether addressing CMV can lower inflammation and improve heart health markers in patients who are already on antiretroviral therapy. By utilizing a clinical trial that tests a new antiviral drug, letermovir, the research aims to determine if this treatment can lead to better cardiovascular outcomes for those affected. Participants will be monitored for changes in vascular inflammation and endothelial function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly lower the risk of cardiovascular disease in HIV patients by effectively managing CMV replication.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that treating asymptomatic CMV can reduce inflammation in HIV patients, suggesting a promising avenue for this research.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hunt, Peter W — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Hunt, Peter W
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Reducing heart disease risk in people with HIV by treating hidden CMV virus
Treating hidden CMV replication in people living with HIV who are on ART may lower vascular inflammation and cardiovascular risk.
-
How treating a virus in HIV patients may lower heart disease risk
This study is looking at whether treating a common virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV) can help improve heart health for people living with HIV who are on medication, and it involves testing a new antiviral drug to see if it can reduce inflammation and lower the risk of heart problems.
-
Understanding how genetic changes in blood cells relate to heart disease in people with HIV
A study will look at how age-related blood cell mutations and large chromosomal changes might contribute to heart disease risk in people living with HIV.
-
Cardiovascular risk planning and reduction for men with prostate cancer
A program to better predict and reduce heart disease risk in men treated for prostate cancer, especially older patients.
-
Cardiac health and protein markers in kids with perinatal HIV exposure or infection
A study from Duke aims to understand heart health and protein biomarkers in children who were exposed to or infected with HIV at birth, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
-
HBV cure clues in people with and without HIV
This project studies how HBV-specific B and T cell responses relate to curing hepatitis B in people with and without HIV.
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.