Abstract
Introduction: Tat, a key HIV virulence protein, has been targeted for the development of a therapeutic vaccine aimed at cART intensification. Results from phase II clinical trials in Italy (ISS T-002) and South Africa (ISS T-003) indicated that Tat vaccination promotes increases of CD4(+) T-cells and return to immune homeostasis while reducing the virus reservoir in chronically cART-treated patients. Here we present data of 92 vaccinees (59 enrolled in the ISS T-002 8-year extended follow-up study (ISS T-002 EF-UP, ClinicalTrials. gov NCT02118168). Results: Anti-Tat antibodies (Abs) induced upon vaccination persisted for the entire follow-up in 34/92 (37 vaccinees, particularly when all 3 Ab classes (A/G/M) were present (66, as most frequently observed with Tat 30 mu g regimens. CD4+T cells increased above study-entry levels reaching a stable plateau at year 5 post-vaccination, with the highest increase (165 cells/mu L) in the Tat 30 mu g, 3x regimen. CD4(+)T-cell increase occurred even in subjects with CD4(+)nadir
Original language | English |
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Journal | Front. Immunol. |
Volume | 10 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Feb 13 2019 |
Keywords
- HIV therapeutic vaccine
- Tat
- cART
- anti-Tat antibodies
- CD4(+) T cells
- CD4(+)/CD8(+) T-cell ratio
- proviral DNA
- HIV reservoirs