How HIV and COVID medicines and substance use can harm the liver
Official title: Hepatotoxic mechanisms of anti-HIV- and anti-COVID-19 drugs and substance use disorders
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11258056 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at how common HIV and COVID-19 antiviral drugs, especially when combined with alcohol or other substance use, can damage the liver in people with these viral infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | March 15, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $391,875 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA058458-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11258056 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with HIV or COVID-19 who are taking antiviral medications, especially those who drink alcohol or use other substances or who have existing liver concerns, would be most relevant to this work.
✕Less likely to help
People who have never taken antiviral drugs and who do not use alcohol or other substances, or whose liver disease is unrelated to drug exposure, may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project studies liver damage caused by antiviral drugs like remdesivir, ritonavir, molnupiravir, nirmatrelvir, tenofovir, and darunavir and how alcohol or other substance use makes that damage worse. The team is examining cellular stress in liver cells, changes in key proteins (including RCE1 and Rab proteins), and patterns in gene activity using RNA sequencing. Work includes laboratory experiments with cells and tissues and analysis of human-relevant samples to link drug and substance exposures with liver injury. Findings aim to explain why some people get severe liver problems while others do not.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help identify drug and substance combinations that raise liver injury risk and guide safer antiviral use and monitoring.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown some antivirals can cause liver injury and that alcohol can worsen drug toxicity, while the specific RCE1/Rab mechanism described here is a newer finding that needs validation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ji, Cheng — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Ji, Cheng
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Investigating liver damage caused by anti-HIV and anti-COVID-19 drugs and substance use.
This study is looking at how certain antiviral medications for HIV and COVID-19 might harm the liver, especially in people who also struggle with substance use, like alcohol, to help find safer treatment options for those affected.
-
Improving contraception decisions for women with substance use disorders after childbirth
A patient-centered decision tool called MyPath aims to help postpartum women with substance use disorders choose and keep effective contraception after giving birth.
-
Transforming prison care for HIV, HIV risk, and substance use disorders
A patient-friendly look at improving HIV care and prevention for people in state prisons, especially where substance use is common.
-
Genetic factors behind alcohol and opioid use disorders and depression in veterans
A study using genetic data from veterans to understand how genes contribute to co-occurring alcohol use, prescription opioid use, and depression.
-
Written Exposure Therapy for Veterans with PTSD and Substance Use Disorder (brief trauma treatment)
A brief trauma-focused therapy called Written Exposure Therapy is being studied to help veterans who have both PTSD and substance use disorders.
-
Web-based training to treat PTSD and substance use together in Veterans
A web-based training resource helps VA clinicians learn how to provide integrated treatment for Veterans with both PTSD and substance use disorders.
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.