Long-term HIV-specific responses and delayed resumption of antiretroviral therapy after peptide immunization targeting dendritic cells
ABSTRACT
Long-term HIV-specific immune responses and clinical outcomes were evaluated in HIV-infected patients previously immunized with p24-like peptides (Vacc-4x) targeting dendritic cells (DC). Vacc-4x-induced cellular immune responses were unchanged 1.5 years after completing immunization, and 62% were still off combined antiretroviral treatment (CART). The magnitude of early Vacc-4x responses determined whether the resumption of CART was clinically indicated 2 years after enrollment. These observations encourage further exploration of both Vacc-4x and other HIV peptide-based immunization regimens targeting DC.