Details of current laboratory, social and clinical studies relating to HIV cure that are underway in Australia. Click on the ‘details’ link for more information about eligibility and what study participation would involve.
Updated: 5 May 2026
NIVO-LD
This study is looking to explore the impact of Nivolumab (a drug used to treat cancers like melanoma) on immune responses to HIV infection.
There are two phases to this study. In the first phase, completed in 2025, 18 people living with HIV on ART received a single dose of Nivolumab (at much lower doses to that given in cancer therapy). This part of the study demonstrated that a single low dose of Nivolumab is safe and well tolerated in healthy people living with HIV.
The second phase of the study is now recruiting 24 people living with HIV. They will be selected at random to receive either a single low dose of Nivolumab or a placebo. They will then undergo a closely monitored interruption of HIV treatment to see if Nivolumab is able to help control HIV without ART. There are strict criteria to restart ART to ensure participant safety.
Principal investigator: Prof. Sharon Lewin, Doherty Institute
Recruitment location: Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia
Contact: Alfred Clinical Research Unit on 03 9076 6908 or clinresearch@alfred.org.au
PEACH
PEACH is a clinical trial to investigate if pomalidomide, an immune-enhancing drug, can strengthen the body’s own immune system to fight HIV. In this study volunteers will be randomly allocated to receive either treatment with pomalidomide or a placebo (a capsule with no active drug in it). Participants will not know what they are receiving.
Participants will stay on their usual HIV treatment and blood samples will be collected to see how the immune cells react to the immune-enhancing treatment.
The key measures in this trial will be the safety and tolerability of low-dose pomalidomide and assessing whether pomalidomide can improve the anti-HIV immune response.
The study is running at Royal Melbourne Hospital and Monash Medical Centre, Clayton and includes 6 study visits over 2 months.
For more information about PEACH, please contact HIV-trials@unimelb.edu.au
REVEAL
Blood and other biosample collections to understand HIV persistence
This study involves a detailed investigation of white blood cells and tissue samples from people with HIV.
Large bleed
Approximately 150ml of blood will be collected for detailed study in the laboratory.
Leukapheresis
During Leukapheresis, participants are connected to a machine that takes blood from a vein, filters out some white blood cells and returns the remaining blood products back into another vein. This is similar to what is done when people donate plasma at the Bloodbank. The procedure takes approximately 4 hours and is conducted in a special department at the Alfred Hospital.
Gut biopsies
Participants will undergo a procedure called a colonoscopy, where a thin flexible tube with a tiny camera attached is used to look at the inside of your bowels. The procedure will be done at The Avenue Hospital and be performed by an experienced doctor known as a gastroenterologist. The doctor will then remove small amounts of tissue for research. These samples are very small, and collecting them will not damage your bowel.
Lymph node aspirate
Lymph nodes are a type of gland found all over the body, which play an important role in immunity. An ultrasound machine will be used to find an appropriate lymph node in the groin region, which is then injected with local anaesthetic. A small needle will be used to take several samples of the lymph node. The lymph node will still be able to function normally after this procedure.
Scientists will conduct detailed studies on the cells collected through these procedures. This includes experiments to characterise virus-containing cell populations and also test new drugs aiming to reverse latency, “lockdown” or “silence” cells infected with HIV, or eliminate HIV from these cells.
See an interview with Geoff, who has participated in a leukapheresis procedure.
Principal investigator: Prof. Sharon Lewin, Doherty Institute
Recruitment location: Melbourne, Australia
Contact: Alfred Clinical Research Unit on 03 9076 6908 or clinresearch@alfred.org.au
AMBER
AMBER is a clinical trial to investigate if venetoclax, a medication which promotes cell death (apoptosis), can promote cell death of long-lived HIV infected cells and lead to a reduction of the latent HIV reservoir. The study has 2 parts and is being conducted in Denmark and Australia. The first part will use different doses of venetoclax to establish the safest dose to use in people with HIV. The second part of the study will take place in both Aarhus, Denmark and Melbourne, Australia.
All participants in part 2 of the study will stay on their ART and receive 3 cycles of the optimal dose of venetoclax determined in the first part of the trial. These cycles are 28 days consisting of 14 days on treatment and 14 days off treatment. Participants will be randomised to either start the 28 day cycles of venetoclax immediately or receive placebo (a capsule with no active drug in it) for the first 28 day cycle. The main outcome of the study is to determine the safety of venetoclax in people with HIV and then blood samples will be collected to understand if veneotclax has an effect on the size of the HIV reservoir and whether the drug is leading to the loss of HIV-infected cells
Contact: Alfred Clinical Research Unit on 03 9076 6908 or clinresearch@alfred.org.au
HIV-SCT
Blood and Tissue collection of patients with HIV-1 infection undergoing allogeneic haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
This study follows people with HIV who have undergone allogeneic SCT to treat their haematological malignancy. The individual’s response to SCT will be characterised in regard to clinical outcomes, immune reconstitution, transplant complications, the HIV specific immune response and the impact on the HIV viral reservoir. It is only suitable for participants who have HIV and a cancer requiring SCT.
Principal investigator: Dr. Mark Polizzotto, The Kirby Institute
Recruitment location: Sydney, Australia
Contact: St Vincent’s AMR CRP, ph: +61 2 8382 3703
HI-C
HIV Immunity and Cancer cohort biobanking study
This study follows people with HIV who are receiving therapy to treat their cancer. The individual’s response to cancer treatment will be characterised in regard to clinical outcomes, immune reconstitution, transplant complications, the HIV specific immune response and the impact on the HIV viral reservoir. It is only suitable for participant who have HIV and a cancer requiring SCT.
Principal investigator: Dr. Mark Polizzotto, The Kirby Institute
Recruitment location: Sydney, Australia
Contact: St Vincent’s AMR CRP, ph: +61 2 8382 3703
