HLA-mismatched allogeneic adoptive immune therapy in severely immunosuppressed AIDS patients

Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2021 May 7;6(1):174. doi: 10.1038/s41392-021-00550-2.

Abstract

Severely immunosuppressed AIDS patients with recurrent opportunistic infections (OIs) represent an unmet medical need even in the era of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Here we report the development of a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-mismatched allogeneic adaptive immune therapy (AAIT) for severely immunosuppressed AIDS patients. Twelve severely immunosuppressed AIDS patients with severe OIs were enrolled in this single-arm study. Qualified donors received subcutaneous recombinant granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor twice daily for 4-5 days to stimulate hematopoiesis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected from these donors via leukapheresis and transfused into the coupled patients. Clinical, immunological, and virological parameters were monitored during a 12-month follow-up period. We found AAIT combined with ART was safe and well-tolerated at the examined doses and transfusion regimen in all 12 patients. Improvements in clinical symptoms were evident throughout the study period. All patients exhibited a steady increase of peripheral CD4+ T cells from a median 10.5 to 207.5 cells/μl. Rapid increase in peripheral CD8+ T-cell count from a median 416.5 to 1206.5 cells/μl was found in the first 90 days since initiation of AAIT. In addition, their inflammatory cytokine levels and HIV RNA viral load decreased. A short-term microchimerism with donor cells was found. There were no adverse events associated with graft-versus-host disease throughout the study period. Overall, AAIT treatment was safe, and might help severely immunosuppressed AIDS patients to achieve a better immune restoration. A further clinical trial with control is necessary to confirm the efficacy of AAIT medication.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome* / immunology
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome* / pathology
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome* / therapy
  • Adolescent
  • Adoptive Transfer*
  • Adult
  • Allografts
  • Female
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • HLA Antigens / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear* / immunology
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear* / transplantation
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • HLA Antigens