Using doxycycline to slow emphysema in people living with HIV

2/2 Doxycycline for Emphysema in People Living with HIV: The DEPTH Trial

NIH-funded research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10914045

The DEPTH trial is testing whether the antibiotic doxycycline can help slow down emphysema in people living with HIV, and if you join, you'll either get doxycycline or a placebo for about a year and a half while we check how well your lungs are working.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project IDNIH-10914045 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

The DEPTH trial investigates the use of doxycycline, an antibiotic, to slow the progression of emphysema in individuals living with HIV, a group that experiences accelerated disease progression. This phase II clinical trial will involve multiple centers and will randomly assign participants to receive either doxycycline or a placebo over a 72-week period. Participants will be monitored for changes in lung function, specifically the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), which is a measure of how well oxygen passes from the lungs into the blood. The trial aims to provide a targeted therapy for a condition that currently lacks effective treatment options.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who are current or former smokers and have been diagnosed with emphysema.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have emphysema or are not living with HIV may not receive any benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new treatment option to slow the progression of emphysema in people living with HIV.

How similar studies have performed: Previous pilot studies have shown promising results in testing the safety and tolerability of doxycycline for this purpose, indicating potential for success in this larger trial.

Where this research is happening

Ann Arbor, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.