HIV-Blocking Antibody Shows Promise, but Resistant Strains Break Through
A new study finds that the VRC01 antibody initially protects against HIV infection, but resistant strains can cause breakthrough infections as antibody levels decline, highlighting the need for multiple antibodies. The post HIV-Blocking Antibody Shows Promise, but Resistant Strains Break Through appeared first on GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News .
One of the strategies to prevent HIV-negative individuals from contracting HIV-1 involves the use of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). These antibodies, administered intravenously, could safeguard people with partners living with HIV, those at increased risk of HIV exposure, individuals who cannot or prefer not to use conventional PrEP, and populations with high HIV incidence, such as those in sub-Saharan Africa.
The landmark antibody-mediated prevention (AMP) clinical trials tested the efficacy of intravenous infusion of a bnAb, VRC01, which targets the CD4-binding site on the HIV-1 envelope (Env) glycoprotein. VRC01 can neutralize susceptible HIV-1 strains, potentially preventing the virus from infecting host cells. Initial data from two clinical trials in the Americas and sub-Saharan Africa showed that VRC01 provided strong protection against sensitive strains, with a prevention efficacy of 66.3%.
However, after the treatment ended, some resistant HIV strains emerged in participants, leading to breakthrough infections. This suggests that combining multiple types of antibodies may be necessary to prevent both viral escape and breakthrough infections in vulnerable people.
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