Potential for immunotherapy in the treatment of herpesvirus infections

The concept of using immunotherapy to treat recurrent herpesvirus infections dates back to the 1930s, although many of the initial studies were seriously flawed. Since the late-1980s, however, the use of the guinea pig model of genital herpes has allowed investigators to evaluate carefully several vaccine and immunomodulatory strategies for the control of recurrent herpesvirus infections. These investigations have clearly shown that both approaches can significantly decrease recurrence rates of genital herpes, and the most effective routes, adjuvants and treatment regimens have been identified. Similar strategies have also been shown to decrease herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 recurrences in animal models of ocular infection. To date, only moderate success has been reported for human trials, although the optimum strategies that were identified in the animal models have not yet been evaluated.