OHSU researchers report triple therapy clears HIV in newborn primates
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Oregon Health & Science University researchers report that a three-part regimen of antiretroviral drugs, broadly neutralizing antibodies, and the experimental antibody leronlimab clears HIV in newborn nonhuman primates when started within three days of exposure. The findings, published Aug. 13 in Nature Microbiology, show that none of the three therapies cleared the virus on its own. More than 120,000 babies acquire HIV each year worldwide, according to the study.
Three-Part Regimen
The regimen combined broadly neutralizing antibodies, standard antiretroviral therapy, and leronlimab, an experimental monoclonal antibody that blocks the CCR5 receptor to prevent HIV from entering immune cells. Researchers at OHSU's Oregon National Primate Research Center and Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute administered the therapies to newborn nonhuman primates at the Oregon and California national primate research centers. Treatment began within three days of exposure and lasted several weeks. More than 120,000 babies acquire HIV each year worldwide, according to the study.
Viral Clearance
The combination completely cleared HIV, while none of the three therapies alone achieved permanent clearance. The findings were published Aug. 13 in Nature Microbiology. Co-lead author Jonah Sacha, professor and chief of pathobiology and immunology at OHSU, said the result could go to clinical trials immediately to eliminate HIV infection in newborns. Nancy Haigwood, a virologist and immunologist and longtime OHSU colleague, had proposed pairing leronlimab with existing HIV therapies; the results supported her idea.
Human Trial Potential
Antiretroviral therapy is already approved for use in people. Two of the three components—broadly neutralizing antibodies and leronlimab—are each being evaluated separately in clinical trials. Sacha said the next step after testing in newborns is to assess whether the approach works in newly exposed adults. The study involved collaborators at OHSU and the Oregon and California national primate research centers.
What's Next
OHSU researchers said the next step is to test the regimen in clinical trials for newborns, followed by newly exposed adults. It remains unclear whether the combination will reproduce the same viral clearance in human infants or how quickly such trials could begin.
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OHSU researchers report triple therapy clears HIV in newborn primates
