Understanding how sex affects early HIV-1 subtype C infection and treatment response
Official title: Deciphering the impact of sex in early subtype C HIV infection and during HART
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11404813 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how HIV-1 subtype C behaves in men and women early after infection and during antiretroviral therapy, to see if sex differences influence disease course and treatment outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | July 11, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $793,242 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI172740-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11404813 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with acute or early subtype C HIV-1 infection, including both men and women, who have not yet started or are early in ART.
✕Less likely to help
People with established, long-standing HIV infection or those not pursuing ART may not directly benefit from these early infection findings.
What this research studies
The study compares viral, transcriptional, and immune features between men and women who recently acquired subtype C HIV-1 using samples from a Zambian cohort. It will examine how sex impacts transmission dynamics and early disease progression before and during ART. By leveraging a unique, pre-ART cohort, researchers aim to identify sex-specific factors that could improve prevention and personalized care. Findings could inform approaches to protect health and tailor therapies for both men and women. The work is anchored at Emory University with collaboration through samples collected in Zambia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Insights from this research could lead to more effective, sex-specific strategies for preventing HIV transmission and optimizing early treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has begun to reveal sex-based differences in HIV infection and treatment response, but subtype C–focused, early-infection comparisons remain limited and this study aims to extend that work.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hunter, Eric — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Hunter, Eric
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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.