Hematopoietic cell transplantation and HIV cure: where we are and what next?

Blood. 2013 Oct 31;122(18):3111-5. doi: 10.1182/blood-2013-07-518316. Epub 2013 Sep 5.

Abstract

The report of the so-called Berlin patient cured of HIV with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and a few other studies raised tremendous hope, excitement, and curiosity in the field. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health convened a Working Group to address emerging heart, lung, and blood research priorities related to HIV infection. Hematopoietic cells could contribute to HIV cure through allogeneic or autologous transplantation of naturally occurring or engineered cells with anti-HIV moieties. Protection of central memory T cells from HIV infection could be a critical determinant of achieving a functional cure. HIV cure can only be achieved if the virus is eradicated from reservoirs in resting T cells and possibly other hematopoietic cells. The Working Group recommended multidisciplinary efforts leveraging HIV and cell therapy expertise to answer the critical need to support research toward an HIV cure.

Publication types

  • Congress

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • HIV Infections / surgery*
  • HIV Infections / therapy
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1 / drug effects
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / methods*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Receptors, CCR5 / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / transplantation

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Receptors, CCR5