Using doxycycline to slow emphysema in people with HIV
Official title: 1/2 Doxycycline for Emphysema in People Living with HIV: The DEPTH Trial
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-10911918 · Data updated 2026-11-12
The DEPTH trial is looking at whether the antibiotic doxycycline can help slow down emphysema in people with well-controlled HIV who are current or former smokers, and you'll either get doxycycline or a placebo for 72 weeks to see how it affects your lung function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,259,310 |
| NIH project number | 5UH3HL154944-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10911918 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults living with HIV who have been diagnosed with emphysema and are current or former smokers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have emphysema or those with uncontrolled HIV may not benefit from this research.
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. This phase II trial will involve participants who are current or former smokers and have well-controlled HIV. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either doxycycline or a placebo for 72 weeks, with the primary goal of measuring changes in lung function. The study aims to target specific biological markers associated with emphysema progression in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new therapeutic option to slow down emphysema progression in people living with HIV.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown the feasibility of targeting matrix metalloproteinases in HIV-positive individuals with emphysema, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kaner, Robert J — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Kaner, Robert J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Precision phenotyping of emphysema in the elderly: a study in diverse adults
Researchers will look at CT scans and lung tests in older adults to understand different forms of emphysema and how they relate to health outcomes.
-
Lithium as a potential disease-modifying treatment for emphysema using a precision approach
A low-dose lithium approach is being studied to slow or modify emphysema in smokers who have COPD.
-
Imaging and multi-omics to find subtypes of emphysema in COPD
This project looks for molecular subtypes of emphysema in COPD by combining imaging with blood and tissue data to improve understanding and treatment options.
-
Precision phenotyping of emphysema in the elderly: the MESA Lung Study
Aging adults with or without COPD-related symptoms may benefit from a new study that maps subtypes of emphysema on CT scans to better predict health risks.
-
E-cigarette use and emphysema risk in young adults (VapeScan)
A study to understand whether vaping or traditional cigarettes cause early lung damage in young adults.
-
Loss of lung blood-vessel stem cells that may speed lung aging and raise emphysema risk
Researchers will look at how losing a type of lung blood-vessel progenitor cell may make lungs age faster and increase emphysema risk in adults.
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.