Understanding how the immune system can target HIV-1 reservoir cells
Official title: Immune selection of HIV-1 reservoir cells in human clinical trials
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11079606 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at special cells in the body that keep HIV hidden and make it hard to cure the infection, and it aims to find out how we can better help the immune system target these cells, using samples from past clinical trials to discover new ways to get rid of HIV for good.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $871,246 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI184094-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11079606 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals living with HIV who are currently receiving antiretroviral therapy and have participated in previous clinical trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not living with HIV or those who are not on antiretroviral therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the behavior of HIV-1 reservoir cells, which are a small group of CD4 T cells that harbor HIV-1 DNA and persist in the body, making it difficult to cure HIV infection. By utilizing advanced single-genome and single-cell analysis techniques, the study aims to understand how these cells can evade the immune system and how immune responses can be enhanced to target them effectively. The research will analyze samples from previous clinical trials to explore how different immunological interventions can influence the evolution of these reservoir cells. This approach could lead to new strategies for eliminating HIV-1 from the body.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments that help eliminate HIV-1 from the body, potentially offering a functional cure for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting HIV-1 reservoir cells using immune interventions, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lichterfeld, Mathias — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Lichterfeld, Mathias
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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.