The virological and immunological consequences of structured treatment interruptions in chronic HIV-1 infection

F García, M Plana, GM Ortiz, S Bonhoeffer, A Soriano… - Aids, 2001 - journals.lww.com
F García, M Plana, GM Ortiz, S Bonhoeffer, A Soriano, C Vidal, A Cruceta, M Arnedo, C Gil…
Aids, 2001journals.lww.com
Background Some individuals with chronic HIV-1 infection have discontinued their drug
therapy with consequent plasma virus rebound. In a small number of patients, a delayed or
absent rebound in plasma virus load has been noted after drug cessation, apparently
associated with prior drug interruptions and autologous boosting of HIV-1 specific immune
responses. We hypothesized that cyclic structured treatment interruptions structured
treatment interruptions (STI) could augment HIV-1 specific immune responses in chronic HIV …
Abstract
Background
Some individuals with chronic HIV-1 infection have discontinued their drug therapy with consequent plasma virus rebound. In a small number of patients, a delayed or absent rebound in plasma virus load has been noted after drug cessation, apparently associated with prior drug interruptions and autologous boosting of HIV-1 specific immune responses. We hypothesized that cyclic structured treatment interruptions structured treatment interruptions (STI) could augment HIV-1 specific immune responses in chronic HIV-1 infection, which might help to control HIV-1 replication off therapy.
Methods
We initiated an STI pilot study in 10 antiretroviral treatment-naive HIV-1 chronically infected subjects with baseline CD4 T-cell counts> 500× 10 6 cells/l and plasma viral load> 5000 copies/ml who received highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for 1 year with good response (plasma viral load< 20 copies/ml for at least 32 weeks). Three cycles of HAART interruption were performed.
Results
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins