Metformin to help immune balance in people with HIV or at risk, who have a history of injection drug use
Official title: Assessment of metformin for restoration of immune homeostasis in HIV+ and HIV- individuals with a history of injection drug use
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11322090 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study tests whether metformin can help restore immune balance in people living with HIV or at risk for HIV who have a history of injection drug use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,107,091 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA060692-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11322090 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with HIV or at risk for HIV who have a history of injection drug use and are receiving standard care.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without a history of injection drug use or without the specified HIV status may not experience the same benefits.
What this research studies
This project explores whether metformin, a common diabetes medication, can rebalance the immune system in people with HIV or those at risk for HIV who have a history of injecting drugs. Researchers will look at immune markers, inflammation, and B cell function to see if metformin improves immune health alongside standard care. The study will follow participants over time to monitor safety, immune changes, and any effects on HIV-related outcomes or risks for other illnesses. If successful, this could lead to a new strategy to reduce inflammation-related health problems in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, metformin could help reduce immune dysfunction and inflammation, potentially lowering risks of infections and inflammation-related diseases in the target groups.
How similar studies have gone: Prior evidence suggests metformin can modulate immune responses and inflammation in various settings, but its use for restoring immune homeostasis in this specific population is investigational.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kobie, James J — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Kobie, James J
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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.