Exploring ways to cure HIV in adolescents on long-term treatment in Botswana
Official title: Finding a pathway to HIV cure among adolescents on long-standing ART in Botswana through reservoir analysis, analytic treatment interruption, and biomarker assessment
Funded at Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute · NIH-10998468 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at teenagers with HIV-1 who have been on treatment since they were young, to learn more about how the virus stays in their bodies and to find out if some of them have a lower amount of the virus; if you join, you might also get a chance to try out new treatment options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gaborone, Botswana) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $113,400 |
| NIH project number | 1K43TW012848-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10998468 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12-20 who have been on ART since early childhood and are living with HIV-1.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not living with HIV or those who have not been on ART since early childhood may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on adolescents living with HIV-1 who have been on antiretroviral treatment (ART) since early childhood. It aims to understand how HIV-1 persists in these individuals and to identify those who may have a low viral reservoir or a 'blocked and locked' reservoir profile. The study will utilize advanced laboratory techniques and next-generation sequencing to analyze these reservoirs and evaluate potential biomarkers. Participants may also have the opportunity to join a related study that tests new treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative strategies for curing HIV in adolescents, improving their long-term health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in similar approaches to understanding HIV persistence and potential cure strategies, indicating that this area of study is both relevant and necessary.
Where this research is happening
-
Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute
Gaborone, Botswana Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Koofhethile, Catherine Kegakilwe — Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute
- Study coordinator: Koofhethile, Catherine Kegakilwe
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.