Anti-IFNα immunization raises the IFNα-neutralizing capacity of serum — an adjuvant to antiretroviral tritherapy

HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy) suppresses but does not eradicate HIV-1 infection. However, since the antiretroviral agents used in HAART may also be toxic in the long-term, immunotherapies which correct HIV-1 immunosuppression or the cytokine dysregulation associated with it may be beneficial. In this respect, a double blind multicentric placebo-controlled phase II/III anti-IFNα vaccine trial has been carried out on 242 HIV-1 patients, the majority of whom were undergoing HAART treatment. In vaccinated patients (vaccinees) who responded to immunization by increased levels of IFNα Abs (whether under HAART or not) when compared to placebo or non-responder vaccinees, a strong correlation was found between an increased IFNα neutralizing capacity and the reduction ot clinical manifestations.