HIV Immunotherapy Promising in First Human Study

NIH | APRIL 22, 2015

HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, attacks and destroys immune cells. Current treatment with antiretroviral therapy helps to prevent the virus from multiplying. But despite advances in treatment, scientists haven’t yet designed a vaccine that protects people from HIV.

A team of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at Rockefeller University has been exploring a different approach. In previous work, they isolated broadly neutralizing antibodies from people and produced them in the lab. These so-called monoclonal antibodies could prevent or treat infection with HIV or its monkey equivalent in mice and macaques.

The researchers evaluated one of these promising monoclonal anti-HIV antibodies in people. The participants who received the highest dose, however, had significant and rapid decreases in HIV. The virus’s resistance to the antibody was variable.

This study suggests that 3BNC117 is safe in people and could help to control HIV.

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