Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2a Monotherapy Results in Suppression of HIV Type 1 Replication and Decreased Cell-Associated HIV DNA Integration

Abstract

NCT00594880.

Short Communication: Nitazoxanide Inhibits HIV Viral Replication in Monocyte-Derived Macrophages

“…35,36 Our study supports the premise that NTZ may provide an interferon-like effect on monocyte-derived macrophages, thereby acting to decrease the HIV load within this cell subset in vivo. Taken together, our present data support the hypothesis that NTZ could intensify ART-based strategies by activation of anti-HIV host mechanisms in MDM otherwise not targeted by current ART regimens.…”

Interferon Alpha Subtype-Specific Suppression of HIV-1 InfectionIn Vivo

“…Although therapy of HIV-1 patients with IFN-␣2 has produced decreases in viremia in some studies (24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31), the use of IFN-␣2 has been based more upon its availability as a pharmaceutical-grade protein and its efficacy in treating HCV and HBV infections than upon evidence that it is the most efficacious subtype against HIV-1. Recent in vitro work (14), combined with these new in vivo results, suggest that, based on differential expression patterns, restriction factor induction, mobilization of immune effectors, and ultimate anti-HIV-1 potency, not all subtypes play redundant roles in HIV-1 infection, and therefore, they should be individually evaluated as anti-HIV-1 therapeutics.…”

“…4C). IFN-␣ is unique among commonly prescribed antiretroviral drugs in its ability to reduce HIV-1 proviral loads later in infection (26,35) and therefore is considered a promising candidate to be used in cure strategies. Indeed, analysis of proviral loads in human CD4 ϩ T cells isolated from spleens of mice treated in acute infection revealed 30% lower proviral loads in the IFN-␣14 group than in controls (Fig.…”

“…While IFN-␣2 is efficacious in the treatment of HBV and HCV, HIV-1 studies have shown much less promise (23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34). However, encouraging results from recent clinical studies (23,26,35) and new discoveries demonstrating IFN-␣ induction of antiretroviral restriction factors have led to a renewed interest in IFN-␣ therapy. IFN-␣ and antiretroviral (ARV) drugs work via different mechanisms, and IFN-␣'s unique capacity to reduce the proviral load combined with ARV therapy could lead to a functional cure for HIV-1.…”

Immune responses during spontaneous control of HIV and AIDS: what is the hope for a cure?

“…Treatment with IFN-a has been shown to transiently decrease viral loads during chronic infection [74,213], and IFN-a monotherapy was recently shown to allow control of viraemia and reduction of viral reservoirs after antiretroviral treatment interruption in 48% of individuals who received IFNa for several weeks in addition to their HIV-suppressive cART regimens [214]. The mechanisms underlying this effect are still unclear, but as discussed above, IFNa treatment may enhance the immune response in treated individuals and also upregulate HIV restriction factors, thereby rendering target cells less susceptible to HIV infection.…”