Can a cancer drug help flush out hidden HIV?

NCT ID NCT05187429

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study is testing whether a single low dose of nivolumab, a drug used in cancer immunotherapy, can reduce the latent HIV reservoir in people living with HIV who are on antiretroviral therapy (ART). The latent reservoir is a group of dormant HIV-infected cells that current treatments cannot eliminate, forcing lifelong ART. The trial enrolls 42 adults with well-controlled HIV and will first test safety, then randomly assign some participants to receive nivolumab or a placebo to measure effects on the reservoir.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

nivolumab (Opdivo)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could point toward a way to reduce the hidden HIV reservoir, potentially allowing people with HIV to stop antiretroviral therapy without the virus rebounding.

What could go wrong

This is an early Phase 1/2 trial with only 42 participants, so results are preliminary. Nivolumab can cause immune-related side effects, and it is unknown if a single low dose will have any lasting effect on the reservoir.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

HIV infectious disease

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Alfred Hospital - Department of Infecious Diseases

    RECRUITING

    Melbourne, Victoria, 3181, Australia

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Tan Tock Seng Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Singapore, 308433, Singapore

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••