title: Immunologic control of HIV-1.
abstract: By destroying CD4+ T cells, human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection results in immunodeficiency and the inability of the immune system to contain the virus in most individuals. Although treatment of HIV-1 infection with potent antiretroviral medications has resulted in enormous clinical benefit, there is a growing recognition of the limitations of this therapy. As a result, novel approaches to treating HIV-1 infection are being considered. One such strategy is immunotherapy, which seeks to boost immune responses against HIV-1 and control the virus. This approach is based on studies of other viruses in which a coordinated immune response contains the chronic infection. Recent studies show that CD4+ helper responses, CD8+ T cell activity, and antibodies may contribute to control of the virus without antiretroviral therapy in some HIV-positive individuals. Based on this understanding of the immunologic correlates of control of HIV-1, exciting new immunotherapeutic strategies for HIV-1 infection are being designed and tested.
authors.affiliation: Partners AIDS Research Center and Infectious Diseases Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Division of AIDS, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA. rgandhi@partners.org
authors.forename: Rajesh T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Gandhi
authors.forename: Bruce D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005544:Forecasting; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D015483:HIV Antibodies