Understanding how elite controllers manage HIV-1 infection without treatment
Official title: Elite controllers as a model for a cure of HIV-1 infection
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10911776 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a special group of people called elite controllers who can keep HIV-1 at very low levels without any medication, and by exploring their unique genetics, we hope to find new ways to help others with HIV-1 manage the virus better or even find a cure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $863,638 |
| NIH project number | 5R37AI155171-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10911776 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV-1 who are classified as elite controllers, maintaining undetectable viral loads without treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not infected with HIV-1 or those who do not meet the criteria for elite controllers may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a unique group of individuals known as elite controllers who can maintain undetectable levels of HIV-1 without any treatment. By studying their genetic and epigenetic characteristics, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms that allow these individuals to control the virus effectively. The approach involves analyzing the structure of HIV-1 DNA in their cells to understand why the virus remains dormant. This could lead to insights that help develop new treatments or even a cure for HIV-1 for a broader population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for achieving a functional cure for HIV-1 infection.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the mechanisms of elite controllers, suggesting that this approach could yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, Xu — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Yu, Xu
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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.