Precision immune strategies to control HIV in babies and children
Pioneering Precision Medicine Approaches for Immune Control of Pediatric HIV-1 Infection
['FUNDING_P01'] · HARVARD UNIVERSITY D/B/A HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH · NIH-11178668
Trying immune-based treatments in infants, children, and teens with HIV to help their immune systems control the virus and possibly reduce lifelong medicine needs.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_P01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | HARVARD UNIVERSITY D/B/A HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11178668 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project studies infants, children and teenagers with HIV to learn how the virus hides and how their immune systems respond, especially when antiretroviral therapy (ART) was started early. Researchers will map where intact virus copies sit in chromosomes and compare those patterns to rare people who naturally control HIV. The team plans to test immune-boosting approaches such as therapeutic vaccines and will collect blood and other samples over time to track the viral reservoir and immune changes. The overall aim is to find ways to push the immune system to remove or silence the most dangerous virus copies so long-term drug use might be reduced.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children and teenagers living with HIV—especially those who began ART soon after infection—are the most likely candidates for participation.
Not a fit: People without HIV, adults who did not start ART early, or patients with medical reasons that prevent receiving experimental immune treatments are unlikely to benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help children with HIV better control the virus and move toward reducing or stopping lifelong antiretroviral therapy.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown early ART and rare 'elite controllers' can limit viral reservoirs, but immune-based cures and therapeutic vaccines for children remain largely experimental.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- HARVARD UNIVERSITY D/B/A HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LICHTERFELD, MATHIAS — HARVARD UNIVERSITY D/B/A HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
- Study coordinator: LICHTERFELD, MATHIAS
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.
Conditions: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Virus, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus