Cancer drug may reveal HIV's secret brain hideout

NCT ID NCT03239899

Completed Knowledge-focused Sponsor: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether a single dose of pembrolizumab, a cancer drug, is safe for people with HIV who do not have cancer. The goal was to see if the drug could help reveal HIV hiding in the brain. Thirteen adults with well-controlled HIV participated. The study was not meant to treat HIV, but to learn more about where the virus may persist.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: pembrolizumab
What this could lead to: If successful, this could help researchers understand where HIV hides in the brain, potentially pointing toward future strategies to eliminate the virus.
What could go wrong: This is a very early, small safety study with only 13 participants and a single dose. It is not designed to treat HIV, and pembrolizumab can cause serious immune-related side effects.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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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.

HIV INFECTIONS

Contacts and locations

Locations

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.