HIV-1-specific immune responses in subjects who temporarily contain virus replication after discontinuation of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Therapeutic intervention with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can lead to suppression of HIV-1 plasma viremia to undetectable levels for 3 or more years. However, adherence to complex drug regimens can prove problematic, and subjects may temporarily discontinue HAART for variable periods. We studied 6 HIV-1-infected individuals who stopped therapy. Off HAART, levels of viremia were suppressed to fewer than 500 copies/mL in 2 subjects for more than 12 and more than 24 months, respectively, and in 1 subject for 4 months on 1 occasion. Three subjects failed to contain plasma viremia. Broad and strong HIV-1-specific immune responses were detected in subjects with prolonged suppression of viral replication. This longitudinal study suggests that containment of HIV-1 replication to low or undetectable levels after discontinuation of HAART is associated with strong virus-specific immune responses. Boosting of HIV-1-specific immune responses should be considered as an adjunctive treatment strategy for HIV-1-infected individuals on HAART.

publication date

  • September 1, 1999

Research

keywords

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • HIV-1
  • Virus Replication

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC408442

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0032719664

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1172/JCI7371

PubMed ID

  • 10491418

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 104

issue

  • 6