Control of viral rebound through therapeutic immunization with DermaVir.
OBJECTIVE
To reconstitute immune responses capable of eliminating infected cells and suppressing viral load during chronic retroviral infection.


METHODS
: A topical, DNA-based therapeutic immunization (DermaVir) was designed to express most of the regulatory and structural viral genes in dendritic cells.


METHODS
DermaVir alone and in combination with antiretroviral drugs was tested in chronically SIV-infected macaques.


RESULTS
DermaVir provided virological, immunological and clinical benefit for SIV-infected macaques during chronic infection and AIDS. In combination with antiretroviral drugs, DermaVir augmented SIV-specific T-cell responses and enhanced control of viral load rebound during treatment interruptions.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate the feasibility of therapeutic immunization even in immune compromised hosts, and suggest that DermaVir can complement antiretroviral drugs to sustain suppression of HIV-1 replication.
Lisziewicz
Julianna
J
Research Institute for Genetic and Human Therapy, Washington, DC 20007, USA. lisziewj@geneticimmunity.com
Trocio
Jeffrey
J
Xu
Jianqing
J
Whitman
Lucia
L
Ryder
Amy
A
Bakare
Nyasha
N
Lewis
Mark G
MG
Wagner
Wendeline
W
Pistorio
Angela
A
Arya
Suresh
S
Lori
Franco
F
D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D000818:Animals; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000379:methods*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D007114:Immunization / Q000379:methods; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008251:Macaca; D008297:Male; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D016097:Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000502:physiology; D013552:Swine; D019562:Viral Load / Q000379:methods; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000276:immunology
D016915:AIDS Vaccines; C501366:DermaVir; D012367:RNA, Viral