PIPPIN Study | NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

PIPPIN Study | NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

NIAID researchers want to see if a new drug can improve the immune system, including T cells, of people living with HIV who have a low CD4+ T-cell count despite taking antiretroviral medications that control HIV replication. The drug is called pembrolizumab, which is an FDA-approved immunotherapy for cancer.

Key eligibility criteria for this clinical trial include the following:

• You are at least 18 years old and living with HIV
• You have taken HIV medications continuously for at least one year
• You have a CD4 (T-cell) count over 100 but less than 350 at screening
• You have had an undetectable HIV viral load for at least the past 12 months 
• You do not have a history of stroke or seizure; do not have any active lung, heart, kidney, or autoimmune conditions; do not have active hepatitis; do not have diabetes; have not had cancer in the past five years
• Females capable of childbearing, even if on birth control, are not eligible

Volunteers will complete about 12 study visits at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, over a period of approximately one year. Compensation will be provided to study participants and transportation within the United States may be provided.