HIV vaccines in people with HIV on ART: how two vaccine designs shape T cell responses
Official title: Characterizing the distinct T cell profiles induced by monovalent and bivalent HIV vaccination in PWH on ART- The CM Study
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11470445 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how one versus two HIV vaccine components change T cell responses in people living with HIV who are on antiretroviral therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $233,250 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI198038-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11470445 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with HIV on antiretroviral therapy who previously participated in the CM Study vaccine trial or similar HIV vaccine research.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not living with HIV or not on ART would not be eligible or may not receive direct benefit from this specific study.
What this research studies
In people with HIV on ART, researchers compared immune responses after receiving either a single HIV immunogen (monovalent) or two immunogens (bivalent) delivered by viral vectors. The goal is to understand how T cells react to these designs and whether a broader T cell response might offer better viral coverage. The study builds on a prior randomized, blinded vaccine trial and measures safety and how strongly T cells react over several months. Findings could guide future HIV vaccine strategies aimed at improving immune recognition of diverse HIV variants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Inform future HIV vaccines that could better activate protective T cell responses in people living with HIV.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed increased HIV-specific T cell responses after vaccination, with bivalent designs enhancing recognition of multiple epitopes.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goonetilleke, Nilu — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Goonetilleke, Nilu
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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.