Can passive immunotherapy replace antiretroviral drugs in HIV treatment?

According to a new study, passive immunotherapy to repress HIV infection may be helpful in the absence of drug treatment. Passive immunotherapy involves periodical administration of neutralising HIV-specific antibodies (bNAbs) in the infected person to control the multiplication of the virus.

The study was carried out by scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The researchers found that several antibodies, particularly PGT121, VRC01 and VRC03, were effective in blocking HIV from entering the CD4+ T cells obtained from uninfected healthy donors. In addition, the scientists also showed that in laboratory these antibodies could completely block HIV replication in CD4+ T cells obtained from infected individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy.

The study holds great significance as it could be beneficial to control HIV without the need for antiretroviral drugs that are too costly and pose a greater risk of cumulative toxicities from lifelong therapy. Moreover, some patients face difficulties in adhering to drug regimens while other are intolerant to certain drugs.

The researchers concluded that passive immunotherapy involving bNAbs individually or in combination may control HIV in the absence of antiretroviral therapy. A number of clinical trials are already underway or planned to test this hypothesis.

Source: ANI

Photo source: Getty images

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