Sustained virologic control in SIV ⁺ macaques after antiretroviral and α ₄ β ₇ antibody therapy

Abstract

Antiretroviral drug therapy (ART) effectively suppresses replication of both the immunodeficiency viruses, human (HIV) and simian (SIV); however, virus rebounds soon after ART is withdrawn. SIV-infected monkeys were treated with a 90-day course of ART initiated at 5 weeks post infection followed at 9 weeks post infection by infusions of a primatized monoclonal antibody against the α₄β₇ integrin administered every 3 weeks until week 32. These animals subsequently maintained low to undetectable viral loads and normal CD4⁺ T cell counts in plasma and gastrointestinal tissues for more than 9 months, even after all treatment was withdrawn. This combination therapy allows macaques to effectively control viremia and reconstitute their immune systems without a need for further therapy.