Thavarajah, J.J.; Hønge, B.L.; Wejse, C.M. The Use of Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies (bNAbs) in HIV-1 Treatment and Prevention. Viruses2024, 16, 911.
Thavarajah, J.J.; Hønge, B.L.; Wejse, C.M. The Use of Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies (bNAbs) in HIV-1 Treatment and Prevention. Viruses 2024, 16, 911.
Thavarajah, J.J.; Hønge, B.L.; Wejse, C.M. The Use of Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies (bNAbs) in HIV-1 Treatment and Prevention. Viruses2024, 16, 911.
Thavarajah, J.J.; Hønge, B.L.; Wejse, C.M. The Use of Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies (bNAbs) in HIV-1 Treatment and Prevention. Viruses 2024, 16, 911.
Abstract
Background: Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) effectively halt disease progression in HIV infections, complete eradiation of the virus remains elusive. Additionally, challenges such as long-term ART toxicity, drug resistance, and the demanding regimen of daily and lifelong ad-herence required by ART highlight the imperative need for alternative therapeutic and preventa-tive approaches. In recent years, broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) have emerged as promising candidates, offering potential for therapeutic, preventative and possibly curative in-terventions against HIV infection.
Objective: This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge regarding the passive immunization of bNAbs in HIV-1 infected individuals.
Main findings: Recent findings from clinical trials have highlighted the potential of bNAbs in treatment, prevention, and in the quest of an HIV-1 cure. While monotherapy with a single bNAb is insufficient in maintaining viral suppression and preventing viral escape, ultimately leading to viral rebound, combination therapy with potent, non-overlapping epitope-targeting bNAbs have demonstrated prolonged viral suppression and delayed time to rebound by effec-tively restricting the emergence of escape mutations, albeit largely in individuals with bNAb-sensitive strains. Additionally, passive immunization of bNAb have provided ‘proof-of-concept’ for antibody-mediated prevention against HIV-1 acquisition, although com-plete prevention was not obtained. Therefore, further research on the use of bNAbs in HIV-1 treatment and prevention remains imperative.
Copyright:
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