Investigating how certain immune signals can help eliminate HIV
Official title: STudy of Acute HIV for investiGating Eradication Strategies (STAGES): The role of IL-10 and IFN signaling
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11084999 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune signals might help people with HIV who were treated early in their infection, to see if boosting these signals can help reduce the virus in their bodies and lead to better treatment options for a lasting cure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | November 15, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $856,202 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI186774-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11084999 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have been diagnosed with acute HIV infection and are beginning antiretroviral therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have been living with chronic HIV for more than two years may not benefit from this research as their immune responses may be exhausted.
What this research studies
This research focuses on finding a potential cure for HIV by studying the role of specific immune signals, particularly interleukin-10 (IL-10) and type I interferons (IFNs), in patients treated during acute HIV infection. The researchers will analyze a unique group of individuals who received treatment shortly after infection to see if enhancing these immune signals can accelerate the decay of the HIV reservoir, which is the source of viral rebound after treatment stops. By understanding how these signals influence viral control, the study aims to develop new therapeutic strategies for achieving a functional cure for HIV.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that help eliminate HIV from the body, offering hope for a functional cure.
How similar studies have gone: While many HIV cure trials have been unsuccessful, this research takes a novel approach by focusing on patients treated during acute infection, which has not been extensively tested before.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Sulggi Angela — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Lee, Sulggi Angela
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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.