Strong Human Immunodeficiency Virus - Specific CD4 T Cell Responses in a Cohort of Chronically Infected Patients are Associated with Interruptions in Anti-HIV Chemotherapy [Haslett PAJ, et al. JID 2000;181:1264]: The authors from the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center and Biogenetics Corporation studied virus-specific CD4 cell responses in 30 patients receiving HAART. They observed strong HIV-specific CD4 responses in 11 of 22 patients, and the magnitude and frequency of these responses correlated with previous interruptions of HAART. The authors concluded that patients with chronic HIV infection who receive HAART therapy may continue to generate strong HIV-specific CTL and that temporary interruptions in antiviral therapy may boost this type of response.
Comment: The significance of these observations, which are based on an in vitro study, will depend on the demonstration that this robust CTL responses translates into control of HIV viremia. At this juncture, these results are supportive of structured treatment intervention and treatment with therapeutic vaccines, but both tactics need supportive clinical data before they can be strongly advocated. posted 7/3/2000