Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Boston Medical Center Corporation received a $795,622 Project Grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) for the five-year study titled "Mycobacterium tuberculosis Impact on HIV Reservoir Clearance (MYTHIC)," effective May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2031. This investigator-initiated research project delivers comprehensive scientific investigation and clinical research services examining the impact of tuberculosis (TB) disease on HIV-1 latent reservoirs in people with HIV (PWH). The research deliverables include longitudinal cohort study activities with 200 participants (half with TB disease and half without), extending up to 18 months, to generate data on provirus levels, proviral integrity, transcriptional activity, and HIV-1 integration site characterization.

The project will produce research outputs across two primary aims: (1) examination and characterization of HIV-1 proviral characteristics in PWH with TB disease versus those without TB, correlated with TB disease extent, bacterial burden, inflammation markers, and timing variables; and (2) assessment of TB disease impact on HIV-1 latency reversal and transcriptional responses in peripheral blood samples ex vivo, examining the efficacy of latency-reversing agents and broadly neutralizing antibodies in the context of TB-associated immune alterations. These research activities are designed to advance understanding of TB-induced epigenetic changes affecting HIV cure strategy approaches, including shock-and-kill and block-and-lock interventions, ultimately informing future therapeutic development for HIV remission without lifelong antiretroviral treatment.