HIV therapeutic vaccines: moving towards a functional cure

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Virology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Anti-viral T-cell and B-cell responses are critical for controlling HIV and SIV replication.
• Despite immune responses, HIV infections typically require lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART).
• Residual HIV disease persists in ART-treated individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore novel strategies for harnessing anti-HIV immune responses.
• To reduce residual HIV disease in ART-treated individuals.
• To investigate therapeutic vaccines and checkpoint blockers for HIV cure.

Main Methods:

• Investigating advances in understanding anti-HIV immune response regulation.
• Exploring conventional therapeutic vaccines using HIV-derived immunogens.
• Examining the use of checkpoint blockers, such as anti-PD-1 antibodies.

Main Results:

• Recent understanding of immune response regulation has spurred interest in new therapeutic approaches.
• Therapeutic vaccines and checkpoint blockers are being explored as potential treatments.
• These novel approaches show promise in managing HIV infection.

Conclusions:

• Harnessing anti-HIV immune responses is a key focus for reducing residual disease.
• Therapeutic vaccines and checkpoint blockers are promising components of HIV cure strategies.
• Further research into immune-based therapies could lead to effective HIV treatments.