HBV cure signals in people with and without HIV
Official title: Immune response dynamics and hepatitis B cure in persons with and without HIV infection
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11419816 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how HBV-specific immune responses differ in people with HIV compared to those without HIV who are being treated for hepatitis B, with the aim of understanding what parts of the immune system help achieve a cure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $739,644 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AI188551-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11419816 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (21+ years) with HBV, including individuals with HIV co-infection starting antiviral therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not initiating nucleos(t)ide analogs or without HBV/HIV infection may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will analyze longitudinal blood samples from a diverse, multi-country group of adults starting nucleos(t)ide analog therapy for HBV, comparing those with HIV co-infection to those without. They will examine HBV-specific B cells and T cells to see which immune features correlate with achieving HBV cure across different viral genotypes. By collecting samples from sites in Uganda, Brazil, India, Senegal, and the United States, the study aims to capture genetic diversity of HBV and ensure robust analysis. The project focuses on how immune responses relate to cure during antiviral therapy, with specific attention to antibody breadth and functionality. Overall, the work seeks to map immune factors that support or hinder cure, potentially guiding future therapies and vaccines for HBV in diverse populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could inform strategies to enhance HBV cure, especially in people living with HIV.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has linked HBV-specific immune responses to cure, but this study expands to HIV co-infection and broad HBV genotypes.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bailey, Justin Richard — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Bailey, Justin Richard
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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.