Making hidden HIV-infected cells more vulnerable to killer T cells
Enhancing Susceptibility of HIV Reservoirs to CTL Through a Discovery to Translational Approach
This research works to help the immune system's killer T cells find and kill the hidden HIV-infected cells that persist despite antiretroviral therapy in people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11285177 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as someone living with HIV, researchers are trying to understand why some infected cells survive even when viral replication is stopped by medications. They will examine patient-derived samples and laboratory models to identify features that make these reservoir cells resistant to killing by cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs). The team will test strategies to reverse that resistance and translate promising lab findings toward therapies that could be combined with current antiretroviral treatment. The work bridges basic discovery and early translational steps aimed at eventually informing clinical interventions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults living with HIV who are stable on antiretroviral therapy and interested in cure-directed research would be the likely candidates for related future trials.
Not a fit: People without HIV or those not on stable suppressive antiretroviral therapy are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to treatments that reduce or eliminate the long-lived HIV reservoir and lessen the need for lifelong antiretroviral drugs.
How similar studies have performed: Previous approaches that simply reversed HIV latency have not cleared reservoirs, but lessons from cancer immunotherapy show that making target cells more sensitive to T cells can work, so this represents a newer, promising direction though still early.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jones, R. Brad — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Jones, R. Brad
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 below.