Hepatitis B vaccine effects on immune responses and HIV reservoir in people with HIV
Official title: Dissecting Hepatitis B Vaccine Adjuvant Effects on Immune Responses and the HIV Reservoir in PLWH
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11333315 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how a Hepatitis B vaccine with a special adjuvant works in people living with HIV to boost protection against HBV.
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 start | July 25, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $812,499 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI186730-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11333315 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with HIV infection who have a prior history of HBV vaccination but currently do not have protective HBV antibodies.
✕Less likely to help
HIV-positive individuals who already have protective HBV antibody levels or cannot receive vaccines may see little benefit.
What this research studies
People living with HIV who are at risk of HBV infection may benefit from a better HBV vaccine response. The study compares two vaccines, HEPLISAV-B and ENGERIX-B, to see which produces stronger, more protective immune responses in PLWH who previously did not reach protective HBV antibody levels. Researchers will look at innate and adaptive immune signals, including cytokines, transcripts, and B- and T-cell responses, after three vaccine doses. The work aims to uncover why the CpG 1018 adjuvant may improve responses and how these responses relate to control of HBV risk in HIV-positive individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to more effective HBV vaccination strategies for people with HIV, reducing HBV infection risk.
How similar studies have gone: Prior data show preliminary signals that HEPLISAV-B may yield higher response rates in this population, supporting further mechanistic comparison.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cox, Andrea L — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Cox, Andrea L
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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.