Dendritic cell based vaccines for HIV infection: the way ahead.

Abstract

Dendritic cells have a central role in HIV infection. On one hand, they are essential to induce strong HIV-specific CD4⁺ helper T-cell responses that are crucial to achieve a sustained and effective HIV-specific CD8⁺ cytotoxic T-lymphocyte able to control HIV replication. On the other hand, DCs contribute to virus dissemination and HIV itself could avoid a correct antigen presentation. As the efficacy of immune therapy and therapeutic vaccines against HIV infection has been modest in the best of cases, it has been hypothesized that ex vivo generated DC therapeutic vaccines aimed to induce effective specific HIV immune responses might overcome some of these problems. In fact, DC-based vaccine clinical trials have yielded the best results in this field. However, despite these encouraging results, functional cure has not been reached with this strategy in any patient. In this Commentary, we discuss new approaches to improve the efficacy and feasibility of this type of therapeutic vaccine.

• Authors: Felipe García, Montserrat Plana, Nuria Climent, Agathe León, Jose M Gatell, Teresa Gallart
• Journal: Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics (Hum Vaccin Immunother) Vol. 9 Issue 11 Pg. 2445-52 (Nov 2013) ISSN: 2164-554X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23912672 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• AIDS Vaccines

Topics

• AIDS Vaccines (immunology, therapeutic use)
• Dendritic Cells (immunology)
• HIV Infections (therapy)
• Humans
• Immunotherapy (methods)
• Treatment Outcome