Why HIV levels fall more slowly after starting treatment
Project 1: Analysis of 2nd phase decay in persons living with HIV
Researchers are measuring active HIV in the blood and intact HIV DNA in people starting antiretroviral therapy to learn what causes the slower second phase of viral decline.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11510112 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I join, researchers will collect frequent blood samples after I begin ART to track how plasma HIV RNA changes and to measure intact proviruses using digital droplet PCR. They aim to link the rapid first drop in virus to the slower second-phase decline by counting remaining virus-producing cells. The project will include people starting treatment and SIV-infected macaques to compare blood viral patterns and infected-cell measurements. The focus is on the second phase of decay that continues for weeks after the initial rapid decline.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults living with HIV who are about to start combination antiretroviral therapy and can provide multiple timed blood samples during the first weeks of treatment.
Not a fit: People who are already on long-term suppressive ART or who do not have HIV would not be expected to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify the types of infected cells that persist after treatment and guide therapies to better reduce or eliminate the viral reservoir.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier studies established the biphasic viral decline after ART, and this project builds on that work using newer digital droplet PCR methods to measure intact proviruses, applying a known finding with more precise assays.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Siliciano, Robert F — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Siliciano, Robert F
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.