Combination strategy delays virus rebound in monkeys
Harvard researchers have published exciting results on a combination approach to tackling latent HIV. In a monkey model of HIV infection, the group combined the innate immune activating compound GS-9620 (a toll-like receptor 7 agonist) with the broadly neutralising antibody PGT121. The combination was given while infected monkeys were on treatment. When treatment stopped, the combo delayed viral rebound from a median 21 days to 112 days. Some monkeys receiving the combo didn’t show any viral rebound and had an undetectable HIV reservoir after treatment. This ‘shock and kill’ strategy needs to be explored further. Will it work in humans?
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