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Chimeric antigen receptor engineered stem cells: a novel HIV therapy.
Anjie Zhen1, Mayra A Carrillo1, Scott G Kitchen1
1Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Medicine; UCLA AIDS Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Immunotherapy
|March 31, 2017
Summary
Lifelong combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) for HIV is burdensome. Engineered T-cell therapies offer a potential functional cure by enhancing anti-HIV immunity and creating resistance to infection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) suppresses HIV but does not cure it, necessitating lifelong treatment with associated financial and health burdens.
- HIV employs complex strategies to evade immune surveillance, hindering complete eradication by the host's natural defenses.
- The limitations of current HIV treatments highlight the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies aimed at achieving a permanent cure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the development of HIV-specific chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) for engineered immunity.
- To discuss the potential of stem cell-based therapies in generating long-lasting anti-HIV immunity.
- To explore engineered T-cell therapy as a strategy for a functional HIV cure.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on HIV immunology, cART, and engineered T-cell therapies.
- Analysis of recent clinical trial data for anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy in B-cell malignancies.
- Discussion of the principles behind developing HIV-specific CARs and stem cell-based immune engineering.
Main Results:
- Engineered T-cell therapy, exemplified by anti-CD19 CARs in B-cell malignancies, shows promise for therapeutic applications.
- HIV-specific CARs can be developed to target HIV-infected cells or viral components.
- Stem cell-based approaches can potentially establish durable, lifelong anti-HIV immune responses.
Conclusions:
- Engineered immunity, particularly through CAR T-cell therapy and stem cell-based strategies, represents a promising avenue for a functional HIV cure.
- Genetic modification of immune cells offers enhanced antiviral activity and resistance to HIV infection.
- Further research and clinical translation of these advanced immunotherapies are crucial for overcoming HIV persistence.