Integrative Assessment of Total and Intact HIV-1 Reservoir by a 5-Region Multiplexed Rainbow DNA Digital PCR Assay.

Background: Persistent latent reservoirs of intact HIV-1 proviruses, capable of rebounding despite suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART), hinder efforts towards an HIV-1 cure. Hence, assays specifically quantifying intact proviruses are crucial to assess the impact of curative interventions. Two recent assays have been utilized in clinical trials: intact proviral DNA assay (IPDA) and quadruplex quantitative PCR (Q4PCR).

Staging of immuno-virological dynamics during acute HIV infection in a Belgian prospective cohort study.

Background: The events during acute HIV infection (AHI) set the stage for the subsequent course of the disease. Early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been associated with favorable immunovirological outcomes, yet the precise impact of ART timing during AHI remains unclear, particularly on lymphoid tissues.

Materials And Methods: The ACS cohort is a prospective cohort study in Belgium, collecting longitudinal clinical data and human bodily material (HBM) from people diagnosed and treated during AHI.

In depth analysis of the HIV reservoir confirms effectiveness and safety of DTG/3TC in a phase 4 randomized controlled switch trial (RUMBA).

Background: Reducing the number of active compounds for lifelong HIV treatment is of interest, especially to reduce potential long-term side effects. So far, available data assessing viral control, support the robustness and safety of 2DR (2-drug regimen) ART compared to 3DR. However, further in-depth investigations of the viral reservoirs are mandatory to guarantee long-term safety of these regimens regarding stable intact HIV-1 DNA copies, HIV-1 RNA transcripts and sustained immunological control.

The impact of analytical treatment interruptions and trial interventions on time to viral re-suppression in people living with HIV restarting ART in cure-related clinical studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: To assess the effectiveness of novel HIV curative strategies, "cure" trials require periods of closely monitored antiretroviral therapy (ART) analytical treatment interruptions (ATIs). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify the impact of ATI with or without novel therapeutics in cure-related studies on the time to viral re-suppression following ART restart.

Methods: Medline, Embase and Web of Science databases were searched for human studies involving ATIs from 1 January 2015 till 22 April 2024.

Longitudinal patterns of inflammatory mediators after acute HIV infection correlate to intact and total reservoir.

Background: Despite the beneficial effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation during acute HIV infection (AHI), residual immune activation remains a hallmark of treated HIV infection.

Methods: Plasma concentrations of 40 mediators were measured longitudinally in 39 early treated participants of a Belgian AHI cohort (HIV+) and in 21 HIV-negative controls (HIV-). We investigated the association of the inflammatory profile with clinical presentation, plasma viral load, immunological parameters, and in-depth characterization of the HIV reservoir.