Targeting the hepatitis B virus in patients with both HBV and HIV infections
Official title: Targeting hepatitis B virus cccDNA during HBV/HIV co-infection
Funded at Princeton University · NIH-10837998 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new ways to help people who have both hepatitis B and HIV by finding better treatments to fight the hepatitis B virus and improve liver health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Princeton University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Princeton, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 20, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $598,764 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI181664-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10837998 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with both hepatitis B and HIV infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are solely infected with HIV or HBV without co-infection may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on patients who are co-infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It aims to develop new therapeutic approaches to combat chronic HBV infection, particularly in the context of HIV, which can worsen liver disease. The researchers will explore innovative methods to interfere with the persistent HBV infection by targeting the cccDNA, a crucial component for the virus's replication. By leveraging recent breakthroughs in their lab, they hope to establish proof-of-concept for these new treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective therapies that significantly improve liver health and overall outcomes for patients co-infected with HBV and HIV.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been advancements in treating HBV and HIV separately, this approach targeting cccDNA in co-infected patients is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Princeton University
Princeton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ploss, Alexander — Princeton University
- Study coordinator: Ploss, Alexander
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
HBV cure clues in people with and without HIV
This project studies how HBV-specific B and T cell responses relate to curing hepatitis B in people with and without HIV.
-
HBV cure factors in people with and without HIV
This project studies how HBV-specific immune cells behave during treatment and whether people with HIV respond differently than those without HIV.
-
HBV prevention in community pharmacies: a first step in a low-resource setting
This pilot project tests whether hepatitis B screening and vaccination can be integrated into everyday community pharmacy services to reach more people.
-
Blood markers to catch early liver cancer in Hispanic people with hepatitis B
This project will see if a blood test can find liver cancer earlier in Hispanic people who have chronic hepatitis B.
-
Early blood markers to find hepatitis B–related liver cancer in Hispanics
This project will use immune-related blood markers to find liver cancer earlier in people with chronic hepatitis B, focusing on Hispanic adults.
-
HBV safety with long-acting HIV therapy for people with HIV
A study to understand how long-acting HIV meds affect hepatitis B in people living with HIV and how to best monitor and protect them.
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.