Using passed-in HIV antibodies to protect babies from breastmilk transmission
Defining and modeling HIV-1-specific antibody function in HIV-1-exposed Infants passively Infused with broadly neutralizing antibodies in the IMPAACT P1112 trial.
This project looks at whether giving strong HIV antibodies to newborns creates blood that can block the kinds of HIV found in breastmilk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11319022 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work uses blood samples from infants who were given powerful broadly neutralizing HIV antibodies in the IMPAACT P1112 trial. Laboratory tests will measure whether those antibodies in the infants' blood can neutralize viruses that appear in breastmilk. Scientists will model how antibody levels in the blood relate to the ability to block breastmilk viruses and predict the antibody level likely needed for protection. The project builds on earlier findings that these antibodies were well tolerated and reached high blood levels in infants.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are infants born to people with HIV who are exposed to breastmilk, especially those who received passive antibody infusions like in IMPAACT P1112.
Not a fit: Babies already infected with HIV, people not exposed through breastfeeding, or those who did not receive antibody infusions would be unlikely to directly benefit from this prevention-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to an antibody-based approach that lowers HIV transmission through breastfeeding alongside existing ART strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Adult trials of the VRC01 antibody linked blood antibody levels to protection and IMPAACT P1112 showed safety in infants, but using these antibodies specifically to neutralize breastmilk viruses remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fouda Amou Ou, Genevieve Giny — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Fouda Amou Ou, Genevieve Giny
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 below.