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Active HIV Research Studies

About this Page

This page hosts a collection of HIV and HIV-related research at the University of California San Diego and affiliated sites. Progress in treatment for HIV, hepatitis C, hepatitis B, tuberculosis, and other related conditions only occurs with the valuable contributions of individuals who enroll in research studies. These clinical research trials help improve the treatment and management of HIV and other infections. 

We encourage you to bookmark this page and check back often, as new opportunities to participate in HIV and related research are added frequently. 

This page is managed by The HIV Institute at the University of California San Diego. Contact us at hiv@ucsd.edu with any questions, feedback, or recommendations. Please note, inquiries regarding a specific study or sponsoring center should be directed to the contact listed. The HIV Institute does not manage any of these studies.

To see all HIV/AIDS clinical trials at UC San Diego (including those in progress as well as actively enrolling studies), please visit the UC San Diego Health Clinical Trials page.

If you are interested in including a research opportunity on this page, please click the button below to submit details.

Submit studies

*Disclaimer: Each sponsoring center and/or principal investigator is responsible for the studies listed on this website. This includes study preparation, conduct, and administration of a research grant, cooperative agreement, training or public service project, contract, or other sponsored project in compliance with applicable laws and regulations and institutional policy governing the conduct of sponsored research. Contact the indicated party listed below with any study-related questions.

Antiviral Research Center (AVRC)

To enroll in or get more information about one of these clinical trials at the AVRC, please call the Screening Coordinator at (619) 543-3740 or email Marvin Hanashiro at mhanashiro@health.ucsd.edu

Click here to see a full list of the Antiviral Research Center's currently enrolling studies.


CMV-specific HIV-CAR T cells as Immunotherapy for HIV (Research for an HIV Cure) 

The primary goal of this trial is to assess the safety of administering autologous CMV/HIV-CAR T cells to people with HIV. This includes a thorough evaluation of potential toxicities, their nature, frequency, severity, timing, and duration.

Click here for more information and eligibility requirements.
 HIV 


 

 ACTG A5321 (AHRC) 

Studying differences and changes over time in HIV reservoirs (groups of HIV-infected cells that 'hide' from anti-HIV medications) and attempting to answer questions about the ways that HIV infection is controlled. This may have to do with a person’s viral load and CD4 count, when they started their anti-HIV medications, and genetic factors.
Click here for more information and eligibility requirements.

 HIV   


ACTG 5386 (N-803 with or without bNAbs for HIV-1 control in participants living with HIV-1 on suppressive ART)

Scientists are looking for ways to effectively clear HIV that rests in areas of the body where standard antiretroviral treatment (ART) is unable to reach. IL-15 superagonist (N-803) appears to reactivate HIV that is "asleep" and is also thought to increase the body's natural immune response to HIV. Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs), such as 10-1074 and VRC07-523LS, have been shown to control growth of HIV in the blood and to increase the body's immune response to HIV. N-803 alone or in combination with bNAbs may provide greater control of HIV than previous efforts.
Click here for more information and eligibility requirements.
 HIV 

ACTG 5403 (GET IT RIgHT) 

The purpose of this study is to determine the best combo of antiretroviral therapy for transgender women (TW) living with HIV who take feminization hormonal therapy (FHT). All participants will receive FHT. The study will determine if TW remain undetectable while receiving FHT for 48 weeks. Additionally, it will assess if hormone levels change based on the type of HIV medications taken. 

Click here for more information and eligibility requirements.
 HIV 


ARTISTRY-1 

The purpose of this study is to compare taking oral bictegravir/lenacapavir versus a complex ART regimen in people with HIV.

Click here for more information and eligibility requirements.
 HIV 


ARTISTRY-2  

The purpose of this study is to compare taking oral bictegravir/lenacapavir versus Biktarvy in people with HIV.

Click here for more information and eligibility requirements.
 HIV 


DEPTH (Doxycycline for Emphysema in People Living with HIV​)

This is a research study to evaluate if the medication doxycycline, a commonly used antibiotic, can slow the damage to the lungs caused by emphysema in people who also have HIV. Emphysema is more prevalent in people living with HIV and may progress faster than in HIV-negative individuals. Doxycycline is approved by the FDA to treat or prevent a variety of infections and conditions. It has not been approved to treat emphysema in people living with HIV, so the use in this study is considered investigational.

Click here for more information and eligibility requirements.
 HIV 


 LAST GIFT

People at the end of their lives often have a unique perspective on life, death and altruism, and may hold the keys to curing HIV. This study takes the next steps in finding a cure for HIV by understanding how reservoirs are distributed throughout the body.
Click here for more information and eligibility requirements.
 HIV 


TRUVIAN

This research study seeks to test the performance of an investigational blood analyzer to make routine health tests convenient and get results fast. Eligible participants will receive $40 as compensation for a clinic visit and blood draw.

Click here for more information and eligibility requirements.


A5418 (STOMP)

Tecovirimat (also known as TPOXX) is a drug that may help to treat infections caused by pox viruses. Tecovirimat is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat smallpox in adults and children. Its use in this study is considered investigational. An investigational use is one that has not been approved by the FDA. Tecovirimat has been approved for use in this study based only on data from animals. We don’t know for sure if it works to treat any infections in people. The FDA has reviewed information on tecovirimat and determined that tecovirimat may help treat infection, including serious or potentially life-threatening disease from poxviruses. 
Click here for more information and eligibility requirements.
MPOX


PURPOSE-3 (Injectable PrEP Study)

We are conducting a clinical study to see whether an investigational twice-a-year injection medication can help reduce the risk of getting HIV from sex.

Click here for more information and eligibility requirements.
 HIV    SEXUAL HEALTH  


PURPOSE-4 (Injectable PrEP Study)

​We are conducting a clinical study to see whether an investigational twice-a-year injection medication can help reduce the risk of getting HIV among people who inject drugs.

Click here for more information and eligibility requirements.
 HIV    SEXUAL HEALTH  

 

HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program (HNRP)

To enroll in or get more information about research studies at the HNRP, please call (619) 543-5000 and ask to speak with a research recruiter. 

You may be eligible to participate if you:
are at least 18 years old
are HIV+ or HIV- (do not have HIV)
do or do not have a history of substance use

For participating you will receive:
Monetary compensation
Lab results (at no cost to you)
Medical and psychological test results (upon request at no cost to you)

*All information obtained during the study is kept strictly confidential.


iSTEP - an mHealth Physical Activity and Diet Intervention for Persons With HIV

Summary: HIV is associated with a pattern of neurocognitive deficits, metabolic dysfunction, and an elevated risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), phenomena that remain untreated despite the use of medications to control the disease. This proposal will examine the effect of a personalized, automated, interactive mobile phone text message intervention (iSTEP) designed to increase moderate physical activity (PA), decrease sedentary behavior (SB), and promote a healthy Mediterranean-style diet (MedDiet) in persons living with HIV (PLWH). The investigators propose that participants who receive the iSTEP intervention will increase the amount of physical activity, improve their diet, show a reduction in risk factors for CVD, and exhibit improved neurocognitive performance.
Click here for more information and eligibility requirements

 HIV 


DETECT: A novel device to assess how HIV affects neurocognitive decline and postural instability in older adults at risk for Alzheimer's Disease

This is a research study to determine if a brief virtual reality (VR) assessment among older adults living with HIV can help us better screen for changes in cognition and balance.

Click here to download information on this study

Email: hnrprecruitment@ucsd.edu for more information or if you are interested in enrolling
 HIV 


Biomarkers of Resilience and injury related to HIV and Methamphetamine (BRIHM)

This project will look at METH and HIV-associated biomarker signatures of CNS injury and resilience and will translate them to the clinical environment.

Click here to download information on this study

Email hnrprecruitment@ucsd.edu for more information or if you are interested in enrolling
 HIV 


Cross-species studies of smoking effects on cognition and neuroinflammation in HIV

This study will examine how smoking affects people living with HIV, specifically the function and performance of the brain.

Click here to download information on this study

Email: hnrprecruitment@ucsd.edu for more information or if you are interested in enrolling
 HIV 


 

Mother Child Adolescent Program (MCAP)

To enroll or get more information about one of these IMPACT studies at MCAP, please email Study Coordinator: Alejandra Leon at a5leon@health.ucsd.edu

IMPAACT 2015: Very Early Intensive Treatment of HIV-Infected Infants to Achieve HIV Remission

The study will explore the effects of early intensive antiretroviral therapy (ART) on achieving HIV remission (HIV RNA below the limit of detection of the assay) among HIV-infected infants.

Click here for more information and eligibility requirements.
 HIV    INFANTS 


IMPAACT 2026: Pharmacokinetic Properties of Antiretroviral and Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs During Pregnancy and Postpartum

This study will evaluate the pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of antiretroviral (ARV) and anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs administered during pregnancy and postpartum.

Click here for more information and eligibility requirements.
 HIV    PREGNANCY 


IMPAACT 2017: More Options for Children and Adolescents (MOCHA): Oral and Long-Acting Injectable Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine in HIV-Infected Children and Adolescents

The purpose of this study is to determine the dosage for oral and IM Cabotegravir LA and IM Rilpiverine LA and evaluate the safety, acceptability, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of oral and long-acting injectable cabotegravir and long-acting injectable rilpivirine in virologically suppressed HIV-infected children and adolescents.

Click here for more information and eligibility requirements.
 HIV    CHILDREN 12-17 


 

Owen Clinic

Check back soon for clinical trial updates for Owen Clinic.

Other UC San Diego HIV Research Studies

LOTUS Study

The LOTUS Study is recruiting women to share their thoughts on accessing sexual health services and mobile technology use so they can develop a mobile app. View the enrollment flyer.

Enrollment Now
 SEXUAL HEALTH 


Women SHINE Study

Women SHINE is a research study aimed at helping women living with HIV to access and stay engaged in HIV care. Women SHINE is currently enrolling women living with HIV who have experienced violence during their adult life. View enrollment flyer

Enrollment: Now
 HIV 


MACH2: Measuring Brain Effects of Adversity, Cannabis and HIV - Phase 2

The goal of the MACH2 study is to find out how HIV, cannabis use and adversity affect the brain among young adults. We are seeking people age 18-24 with or without HIV and with all levels of cannabis use, from none to daily, but not current use of methamphetamine, cocaine or opioids. Participation involves cognitive testing, questionnaires and interviews, brain imaging, and a blood draw. You will be compensated up to $250. For information or to be screened for the study, contact Kathy Scarvie (see below).

Enrollment: Now through March 2024

Contact: Kathy Scarvie via email at kscarvie@health.ucsd.edu or call/text 858-951-7384

 HIV    CANNABIS 


AMC-083: Collecting and Studying Tissue Samples From Patients With HIV-Associated Malignancies

Summary: Collecting and studying tissue samples from patients with cancer in the laboratory may help doctors learn more about changes that occur in DNA and identify biomarkers related to cancer. This research trial is collecting tissue samples specifically from patients with HIV-related malignancies to study clinical, genetic, and immunologic parameters that have prognostic significance and/or are involved in the initiation and progression of HIV-1 malignancies, including complete genomic sequence determination of HIV-associated diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, lung cancer, anal cancer, and cervical cancer. 

Enrollment: now through December 2024

Contact: Erin Reid, MD at egreid@ucsd.edu

Click here for more information and eligibility requirements.
 HIV    CANCER 


AMC-101: Ibrutinib, Rituximab, Etoposide, Prednisone, Vincristine Sulfate, Cyclophosphamide, and Doxorubicin Hydrochloride in Treating Patients With HIV-Positive Stage II-IV Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphomas

This phase I-II trial studies the side effects and best dose of ibrutinib in combination with rituximab, etoposide, prednisone, vincristine sulfate, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin hydrochloride in treating patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive stage II-IV diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. Ibrutinib may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Monoclonal antibodies, such as rituximab, may interfere with the ability of cancer cells to grow and spread. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as etoposide, prednisone, vincristine sulfate, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin hydrochloride, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving ibrutinib and etoposide, prednisone, vincristine sulfate, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin hydrochloride may work better in treating patients with HIV-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. 

Enrollment: now through December 2024. 

Contact: Erin Reid, MD egreid@ucsd.edu

Click here for more information and eligibility requirements
 HIV    CANCER 


 

Site last updated 04/10/24