mRNA vaccines to help the body make HIV-fighting antibodies
Self-amplifying mRNA-based vaccines to elicit VRC01-class bnAbs
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER · NIH-11242064
This project uses self-amplifying mRNA vaccines designed to prompt people’s immune systems to start producing VRC01-class broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SEATTLE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11242064 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are developing self-amplifying mRNA vaccines that deliver two HIV protein pieces intended to activate specific B cells and steer them toward making powerful, broadly neutralizing antibodies. In the lab and in animal models they will compare immune responses from these mRNA vaccines to those from the same proteins given as traditional adjuvanted recombinant proteins. If the preclinical results look promising, the mRNA vaccines will be manufactured under GMP standards and tested in people at participating clinical sites. The goal is a faster, cheaper way to move promising HIV immunogens into human testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be HIV-negative adults who are willing to receive experimental vaccines and attend study visits for follow-up and blood sampling.
Not a fit: People already living with HIV or those with conditions that prevent vaccination or a normal immune response are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this effort.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could move us closer to an HIV vaccine that reliably induces broadly neutralizing antibodies and improves prevention options.
How similar studies have performed: mRNA vaccines have worked well for other viruses and germline-targeting HIV immunogens have shown promise in lab models, but reliably inducing VRC01-class broadly neutralizing antibodies in people remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
SEATTLE, UNITED STATES
- FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER — SEATTLE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: STAMATATOS, LEONIDAS — FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER
- Study coordinator: STAMATATOS, LEONIDAS
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.