Testing a new HIV vaccine in people on stable HIV treatment

Plain-English translation of NCT07530198 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated April 2026 · Translation generated July 2026 · How we translate trials

Phase 1 — Testing in a small group (usually 20–80 people) to find a safe dose and watch for side effects.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing ICVAX, a new DNA vaccine designed to boost the immune system's ability to fight HIV in people who are already on antiretroviral therapy (HIV medications). Researchers want to see if the vaccine is safe and whether it can help strengthen the immune response against HIV. The study also compares three different injection devices to deliver the vaccine.

While current HIV medications can reduce the viral load to undetectable levels, they don't cure HIV and require lifelong treatment. This medication aims to train the immune system to better control HIV on its own, potentially reducing the need for daily pills or improving long-term control of the virus.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with HIV-1 and tested positive for HIV antibodies
you are between 18 and 60 years old
you have been taking HIV medications for at least 12 months with an undetectable viral load (fewer than 50 copies per milliliter) for at least the past 12 months
you have a healthy body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9
you have CD4+ T cell counts above 350 cells per microliter in the past 6 months
you are willing to use contraception and commit to the study timeline

You likely don't qualify if…

you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant within the next two years
you have stopped taking your HIV medications for more than 2 weeks in a row
you have an active opportunistic infection or serious illness requiring treatment in the past month
you have a history of autoimmune disease or severe allergies to vaccine components
you have a pacemaker, implantable heart device, or wear electronic medical devices that could be affected by electrical pulse stimulation

What participation looks like

You will visit the research clinic four times over 12 weeks to receive injections of the vaccine, spaced 4 weeks apart. After your last injection, you will continue to be monitored for an additional 36 weeks with follow-up visits and blood tests to check your safety and how your immune system responds. The vaccine is delivered using one of three specialized injection devices, and you'll be randomly assigned to receive it through one of these methods.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jul 14, 2026 · Not medical advice

Testing a new HIV vaccine in people on stable HIV treatment

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations