Can two antibodies help people with HIV ditch daily pills?
NCT ID NCT05719441
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Aug 19, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study tests whether giving two powerful HIV-fighting antibodies along with standard HIV medication (ART) to people diagnosed very early with HIV can help them control the virus without daily pills later. 48 adults with acute HIV infection will receive either the antibodies or a placebo, plus ART. After a period, they will stop ART under close monitoring to see if the antibodies keep the virus suppressed.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- HIV-specific broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (VRC07-523LS and PGT121.414.LS) plus standard antiretroviral therapy (Biktarvy)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could allow people with HIV to stop daily medication and stay virus-free for long periods, pointing toward a functional cure.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early phase 2 trial with only 48 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The antibodies may not prevent viral rebound, and there is a risk of side effects like infusion reactions.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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About 48 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Aug 2024
- Expected to finish
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Sep 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A government research agency
The lead sponsor is the US National Institutes of Health.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 70 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Step 1: 1. Appropriate documentation from medical records of diagnosis of AHI prior to enrollment that includes one of the following: 1. A detectable HIV-1 RNA within 28 days prior to study entry AND a non-reactive HIV-1 antibody within 7 days prior to entry; OR 2. A detectable HIV-1 RNA or a reactive HIV-1 antibody within 28 days prior to study entry AND a negative/indeterminate Western Blot (WB) or negative/indeterminate Geenius HIV-1/HIV-2 Supplemental Assay within 7 days prior to entry; OR 3. A documented non-reactive HIV-1 antibody or negative HIV-1 RNA within 90 days prior to study entry AND a documented reactive HIV-1 antibody or positive WB that is negative for p31 band or a positive Geenius HIV-1/HIV-2 Supplemental Assay that is negative for p31 band within 7 days prior to entry; OR 4. ARCHITECT or GSCOMBO S/CO ≥10 within 7 days prior to entry AND a non-reactive HIV-1 antibody within 7 days prior to entry; OR 5. ARCHITECT or GSCOMBO S/CO ≥1 within 7 days prior to entry AND a non-reactive HIV-1 antibody within 7 days prior to entry AND a known prior S/CO \<0.5 within 90 days prior to entry; OR 6. ARCHITECT or GSCOMBO S/CO \>0.5 but \<10 within 7 days prior to entry AND a non-reactive HIV-1 antibody within 7 days prior to entry AND detectable HIV-1 RNA within 7 days prior to entry 2. The following laboratory values obtained within 21 days prior to entry: * Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ˃1,000/mm3 * Hemoglobin: * \>10 g/dL for cisgender men and transgender women * \>9 g/dL for cisgender women and transgender men * Platelet count ˃100,000/mm3 * Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥50 mL/min/1.73m2 using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-Epi) equation, with consideration for lower rates in special circumstances. * ALT (SGPT) ≤2.5 x ULN * AST (SGOT) ≤2.5 x ULN * Total bilirubin \<1.5 x ULN 3. For persons who are able to become pregnant, negative urine or serum pregnancy test within 24 hours prior to study entry. 4. Persons who are able to become pregnant must agree to use two methods of contraception throughout Step 1 if participating in sexual activity that could lead to pregnancy. One contraceptive method must be a highly effective method and the second method of contraception must be a barrier method. 5. Participants of reproductive potential who engage in sexual activity that could lead to their partner's becoming pregnant must agree to use a barrier method of contraception throughout Step 1. 6. Ability and willingness to use a barrier method or abstinence from sexual intercourse with all partners who are vulnerable to HIV or whose HIV serostatus is unknown in order to prevent HIV transmission during Step 2, Step 3, and until plasma HIV-1 RNA is less than the limit of detection after ART restart in Step 4. 7. Age ≥18 and ≤70 years. 8. Ability and willingness to initiate ART at enrollment. 9. Ability and willingness to participate in scheduled study visits, including during the ATI, per Schedule of Evaluations (SOE). 10. Ability and willingness of participant to provide informed consent. Step 2: 1. Documented negative hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) obtained within 16 weeks prior to Step 2 registration. 2. Documented negative hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody (anti-HCV) or negative HCV RNA PCR obtained within 16 weeks prior to Step 2 registration. 3. Receipt of full doses of study infusions at enrollment (VRC07-523LS + PGT121.414.LS or placebo \[Sodium Chloride for Injection USP, 0.9%\]). 4. HIV-1 RNA \<200 copies/mL obtained within 6 weeks prior to Step 2 registration. 5. CD4+ T-cell count ≥450 cells/mm3 obtained within 6 weeks prior to Step 2 registration. 6. For participants who are able to become pregnant, negative serum or urine pregnancy test within 48 hours prior to Step 2 entry. 7. To avoid pregnancy, participants who are able to become pregnant must agree to use contraception or practice abstinence from sexual activity that could lead to pregnancy throughout Step 2. 8. Ability and willingness to use a barrier method or abstinence from sexual intercourse with partners who are vulnerable to HIV or whose HIV serostatus is unknown in order to prevent HIV transmission throughout Step 2. 9. Ability and willingness to interrupt ART. 10. Completion of Step 1. Step 3: 1. Has not met ART restart criteria. 2. Completion of Step 2. 3. Willing to continue ATI. 4. To avoid pregnancy, participants who are able to become pregnant must agree to use contraception or practice abstinence from sexual activity that could lead to pregnancy throughout Step 3. 5. Ability and willingness to use a barrier method or abstinence from sexual intercourse with all partners who are vulnerable to HIV or whose HIV serostatus is unknown in order to prevent HIV transmission throughout Step 3. Step 4: 1. Has met any of the ART restart criteria during Step 2 or Step 3. -OR- Has completed Step 3 and is not enrolling to ACTG A5385. 2. To avoid pregnancy, participants who are able to become pregnant must agree to use contraception or practice abstinence from sexual activity that could lead to pregnancy throughout Step 4. 3. Ability and willingness to use a barrier method or abstinence from sexual intercourse with all partners who are vulnerable to HIV or whose HIV serostatus is unknown in order to prevent HIV transmission until plasma HIV-1 RNA is less than the limit of detection after ART restart. Exclusion Criteria: Step 1: 1. Previous receipt of immunoglobulin (IgG) therapy. 2. Previous receipt of humanized or human monoclonal antibody whether licensed or investigational (other than for the prevention and/or treatment of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19). 3. History of a severe allergic reaction with generalized urticaria, angioedema or anaphylaxis in the 2 years prior to enrollment. 4. History of chronic urticaria requiring daily treatment. 5. Receipt of investigational study agent within 28 days prior to enrollment. 6. Past participation in an investigational study of a candidate HIV vaccine or immune prophylaxis for HIV-1 infection with receipt of active product or with receipt of active product or placebo and remains blinded to what they actually received. 7. Active or recent non-HIV-associated malignancy requiring systemic chemotherapy or surgery in the preceding 36 months or for whom such therapies are expected in the subsequent 12 months. 8. Use of any immunomodulatory medications within 6 months of study entry including systemic corticosteroids (long-term), immunosuppressants, anti-cancer, interleukins, systemic interferons, systemic chemotherapy, or other medications that the site investigator feels could have an immune modulatory effect. 9. Use of ART for any reason, including pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis, within 60 days prior to study entry. 10. Active drug or alcohol use or dependence that, in the opinion of the site investigator, would interfere with adherence to study requirements. 11. Known history of active Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C infection. 12. Any acute, chronic, or recent and clinically significant medical condition that, in the opinion of the site investigator, would interfere with adherence to study requirements or jeopardize the safety or rights of the participant. 13. History of or current clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) as defined by 2013 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines, including a previous diagnosis of any of the following: * Acute myocardial infarction * Acute coronary syndromes * Stable or unstable angina * Coronary or other arterial revascularization * Stroke * TIA * Peripheral arterial disease presumed to be of atherosclerotic origin 14. Currently breastfeeding or pregnant. 15. Weight \>115 kg. 16. Use of prohibited medications for bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide (refer to protocol section 5.8) within 7 days prior to entry, or planned use of prohibited medications during the period of study participation. 17. Absence of adequate venous access for the administration of infusion or for phlebotomy to assess for the primary study endpoint. Step 2: 1. Viral failure, as defined in protocol section 6.2.4, after Step 1 week 24. 2. Failure to initiate ART in Step 1. 3. Receipt of any non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) or long-acting ART (any therapy dosed at an interval less than daily), such as cabotegravir or rilpivirine injections, after Step 1 entry. 4. Receipt of any immunoglobulin therapy or immunomodulatory medications after Step 1 entry including systemic corticosteroids (long-term), immunosuppressants, anti-cancer, interleukins, systemic interferons, systemic chemotherapy, or other medications that the site investigator feels could have an immune modulatory effect. 5. Does not have HIV-1. 6. Participant was in Fiebig stage VI at the time of study entry. 7. Failure by the participant to attend three consecutive Step 1 study visits. 8. Intercurrent illness, new medical diagnosis, laboratory abnormality, sign, or symptom that, in the opinion of the site investigator, would place participant at higher risk of morbidity during ATI. 9. Pregnancy or breastfeeding. 10. Active drug or alcohol use or dependence that, in the opinion of the site investigator, would interfere with adherence to study requirements. Step 3: 1. Transfer to A5385 (The Post-Intervention Cohort Study). 2. ART restart in Step 2. 3. Intercurrent illness, new medical diagnosis, laboratory abnormality, sign, or symptom that, in the opinion of the site investigator, would place participant at higher risk of morbidity during analytic treatment interruption. 4. Active drug or alcohol use or dependence that, in the opinion of the site investigator, would interfere with adherence to study requirements. Step 4: 1\. Unwillingness or inability to restart ART after meeting an ART restart criterion in Step 2 or Step 3.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
36 sites in 3 countries. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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1001, University of Pittsburgh CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States
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101, Massachusetts General Hospital CRS (MGH CRS)
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGBoston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
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107, Brigham and Women's Hospital Therapeutics (BWH TCRS) CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGBoston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
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11301, Barranco CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGLima, 4, Peru
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11302, San Miguel CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGSan Miguel, Lima region, 32, Peru
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1201, University of Southern California CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGLos Angeles, California, 90033-1079, United States
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12101, Instituto de Pesquisa Clinica Evandro Chagas (IPEC) CRS
RECRUITINGRio de Janeiro, Brazil
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12201, Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceicao CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGPorto Alegre, 91350-200, Brazil
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1401, University of Washington Positive Research CRS
RECRUITINGSeattle, Washington, 98104, United States
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201, Johns Hopkins University CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGBaltimore, Maryland, 21205, United States
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2101, Washington University Therapeutics (WT) CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGSt Louis, Missouri, 63110-1010, United States
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2301, Ohio State University CRS
RECRUITINGColumbus, Ohio, 43210-1282, United States
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2401, Cincinnati CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGCincinnati, Ohio, 45267-0405, United States
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2501, Case CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGCleveland, Ohio, 44106, United States
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2701, Northwestern University CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGChicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
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2702, Rush University CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGChicago, Illinois, 60612, United States
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2951, The Miriam Hospital (TMH) CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGProvidence, Rhode Island, 02904, United States
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30329, Columbia Physicians & Surgeons (P&S) CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGNew York, New York, 10032-3732, United States
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31443, Trinity Health and Wellness Center CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGDallas, Texas, 75208, United States
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31473, Houston AIDS Research Team CRS
RECRUITINGHouston, Texas, 77030, United States
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31786, New Jersey Medical School Clinical Research Center CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGNewark, New Jersey, 07103, United States
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31787, University of Rochester Adult HIV Therapeutic Strategies Network CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGRochester, New York, 14642, United States
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31788, Alabama CRS
RECRUITINGBirmingham, Alabama, 35222, United States
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31791, Whitman-Walker Institute, Inc. CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGWashington D.C., District of Columbia, 20005, United States
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3201, Chapel Hill CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGChapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599-7215, United States
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3203, Greensboro CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGGreensboro, North Carolina, 27401, United States
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3652, Vanderbilt Therapeutics (VT) CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGNashville, Tennessee, 37204, United States
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5802, The Ponce de Leon Center CRS
RECRUITINGAtlanta, Georgia, 30308-2012, United States
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601, University of California, Los Angeles CARE Center CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGLos Angeles, California, 90035, United States
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603, Harbor University of California Los Angeles Center CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGTorrance, California, 90502, United States
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6101, University of Colorado Hospital CRS
RECRUITINGAurora, Colorado, 80045, United States
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6201, Penn Therapeutics CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
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701, UCSD Antiviral Research Center CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGSan Diego, California, 92103, United States
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7803, Weill Cornell Uptown CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGNew York, New York, 10065, United States
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7804, Weill Cornell Chelsea CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGNew York, New York, 10010, United States
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801, University of California, San Francisco HIV/AIDS CRS
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGSan Francisco, California, 94110, United States
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