Gender-affirming hormones and their effects on HIV and immunity in transgender women
Impact of Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy on HIV Viral Dynamics and Immune Responses in Transgender Women
This project looks at how gender-affirming hormone therapy may change HIV levels and immune system activity in transgender women who are on HIV treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11365755 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be part of research that compares transgender women who are taking gender-affirming hormones with those who are not, and with and without HIV. Researchers will use blood samples from two groups — a cross-sectional cohort of 120 transgender women divided by HIV status and hormone exposure, and participants drawn from an ongoing ACTG clinical trial of transgender women living with HIV on suppressive antiretroviral therapy. Laboratory tests will measure HIV reservoir markers and immune and inflammatory signals to see how hormone exposure relates to viral activity and immune response. The goal is to understand whether hormone therapy affects long-term viral persistence or immune health in transgender women.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are transgender women, including those living with HIV who are on suppressive ART and transgender women without HIV or not currently on hormones who fit the study cohorts.
Not a fit: People who are not transgender women or who do not match the study groups (for example, those with uncontrolled HIV or other gender identities) would likely not benefit directly from participating in this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Results could help clinicians personalize HIV care and hormone therapy for transgender women and improve understanding of long-term viral control and immune health.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier lab and observational research suggests sex hormones can affect HIV latency and immune responses, but direct clinical work focused on transgender women and gender-affirming hormone effects is novel.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Scully, Eileen Patricia — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Scully, Eileen Patricia
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.