Finding Hidden HIV with Special Scans
In Vivo PET Imaging of HIV Infection
This project uses special scans to find where HIV hides in the body, even in people taking medication.
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 ID | NIH-11172299 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The main challenge in curing HIV is that the virus can hide in certain cells and body parts, even when medication keeps it under control. These hidden areas are hard to reach with standard tests. This project uses a special type of scan, called a PET scan, with a unique tracer (89Zr-VRC01) to light up these hidden HIV-infected cells. By using these scans, we hope to map out exactly where HIV hides and how it changes over time, both before and after starting medication. This information is crucial for developing new ways to get rid of the virus completely.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults aged 21 and older who are living with HIV, both those with detectable virus and those on suppressive antiretroviral therapy.
Not a fit: Patients who are not living with HIV or are under 21 years old would not directly benefit from this specific imaging approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better ways to locate and target hidden HIV, bringing us closer to a cure.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary studies in a small group of participants have shown promising results, with the tracer successfully identifying HIV in various tissues.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Henrich, Timothy Jensen — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Henrich, Timothy Jensen
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.