HAART Activates Cytotoxic Cells

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) partially corrects specific immunity in persons with advanced disease, according to research presented yesterday at Session A14. Oscar Pontesilli of NATEC, Amsterdam, reported that treatment with HAART improves some function measures, such as specific responses to known antigens including candida and tetanus, but not to HIV antigens. "We chose antigen-specific responses," Pontesilli said. "Cells responding to these antigens had been depleted by the virus, but with HAART, the cells regained activity. They may have been in sanctuaries, or they may just be getting better function" as viral replication is suppressed.

this story can also be found in The Bridge, the onsite print newspaper

Charles Rinaldo of the University of Pittsburgh reported that HAART improved CD8 cytotoxicity to HIV antigens within weeks of initiation in treatment-naïve patients, an improvement that persisted for more than two years. Much weaker responses were seen in patients who had previously been treated with less-potent regimens.

"Data of this kind can provide a jumping-off point for longer-term investigation, to gain some understanding of the best kind of immune response. It’s mostly speculative at this point," Pontesilli said. "At this Conference, I expect that for the first time there will be lots of data on [treatment] experienced patients."

back