Predicting HIV shrinkage and immune recovery in people with HIV and cancer on checkpoint therapy
MultiOMICS mechanistic identification of predictors of HIV DNA decay, restoration of immune homeostasis and HIV specific immunity in PWH with cancer receiving Immune check point therapy
Researchers are looking at how checkpoint immunotherapy affects the hidden HIV reservoir and immune recovery in people living with HIV who have cancer, using blood tests and advanced molecular analyses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11523469 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be one of the people living with HIV who also have cancer and are receiving anti–PD-1 or anti–PD-L1 immunotherapy. Doctors will collect blood and other samples before and after treatment and run detailed virology tests plus multi-omics analyses of the microbiome, metabolites, and immune signals to look for patterns. The team will compare people whose HIV reservoir shrinks after checkpoint therapy to those whose reservoir does not, to find markers linked to decay versus persistence. Results are intended to help predict who responds and to guide future approaches to target the HIV reservoir and restore immune balance.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults living with HIV who also have cancer and are scheduled to receive or already receiving anti–PD-1 or anti–PD-L1 immunotherapy at participating centers.
Not a fit: People without HIV, people with HIV who are not receiving checkpoint immunotherapy, and those unable to travel to the study sites are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify markers that predict which people with HIV and cancer will have reductions in their HIV reservoir and improved immune function after checkpoint therapy.
How similar studies have performed: Small case reports and early studies suggest checkpoint inhibitors can change HIV measurements in some people, but combining detailed multi-omics and virology in people with HIV and cancer is a novel and more comprehensive approach.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sekaly, Rafick Pierre — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Sekaly, Rafick Pierre
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.