Development of CAR-T cells for long-term eradication and surveillance of HIV-1 reservoir

Publication date: October 2019Source: Current Opinion in Virology, Volume 38Author(s): Bingfeng Liu, Wanying Zhang, Hui ZhangHuman immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reservoir is a pool of latently infected cells harboring replication-competent proviral DNA that limits antiretroviral therapy. Suppression of HIV-1 by combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) delays progression of the disease but does not eliminate the viral reservoir, necessitating lifetime daily administration of antiretroviral drugs. To achieve durable suppression of viremia without daily therapy, various strategies have been developed, including long-acting antiretroviral drugs (LA-ARVs), broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs), and chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells. Here, we summarize and discuss recent breakthroughs in CAR-T cell therapies toward the eradication of HIV-1 reservoir. Although substantial challenges exist, CAR-T cell technology may serve as a promising strategy toward HIV-1 functional cure.

Source: Current Opinion in Virology - May 25, 2019 Category: Virology Source Type: research