HIV-1 antibody boosts immunity, may shrink viral reservoir

Clinical and mouse studies published online Thursday in Science showed broadly neutralizing anti-HIV-1 antibody 3BNC117 neutralized free virions, boosted host immunity against the virus, and may shrink the pool of latently infected cells known as the viral reservoir. The persistence of the reservoir and its ability to reactivate even after decades of antiretroviral therapy is one of the biggest remaining challenges in treating HIV-1 infection (see BioCentury Innovations, March 31, 2016).

Both studies analyzed patient blood samples from a Phase I single dose trial of 3BNC117, in which the antibody decreased viral loads. ...