The Effect of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T Cell Therapy on the Reconstitution of HIV-specific Immune Function

The Effect of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T Cell Therapy on the Reconstitution of HIV-specific Immune Function

To study the safety and effectiveness of CAR-T Cell therapy on HIV patients whose plasma HIV has been successfully suppressed after cART, which is expected to enhance the res-constitution of HIV-specific immune function to assist the eradication of HIV reservoir.

Despite the advent of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART), the persistence of viral reservoirs remains a major barrier to curing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. Recently, the shock and kill strategy, by which HIV-1 reservoirs could be eradicated following reactivation of latent HIV-1 by latency-reversing agents (LRAs), has been extensively practiced. It is important to reestablish virus-specific and reliable immune surveillance to eradicate the reactivated virus-harboring cells.the VC-CAR-T cells effectively induced the cytolysis of LRA-reactivated HIV-1-infected CD4 T lymphocytes isolated from infected individuals receiving successful cART. Our previous study demonstrated that the special features of genetically engineered CAR-T cells make them a particularly suitable candidate for therapeutic application in efforts to reach a functional HIV cure. In this clinical trial, we intend to study the safety and effectiveness of CAR-T Cell Therapy on HIV patients whose plasma HIV has been successfully suppressed after cART, by observing the adverse events, HIV-1 reservoir and the immune index.

Transfusing CAR-T cells at least 1 million clone every time (once or twice) based on cART after attaining plasma HIV suppression (plasma HIV RNA <50 cp/ml) and CD4+ cell count more than 350 cells/ul over 1 year by cART without active HCV or HBV infection or opportunistic infections. If the candidates reach the criteria of discontinuing cART, they will stop cART and receive close observation. Once the plasma HIV viral load rebound to over 1000 cp/ml, they will restart cART immediately.

To observe the adverse events of VC-CAR-T cell therapy on HIV-infected patients during the clinical trial

To assay the remaining concentration of VC-CAR-T cells in patients, the number of HIV-specific CD4,CD8 and their activity after receiving CAR-T cell therapy

Inclusion Criteria: HIV infection confirmed. Receiving cART more than 12 months. HIV viral-load < 50 copies/ml and CD4 cell count more than 350 cells/ul. Without serious liver, heart, liver and kidney diseases. The subjects know about the study and volunteer to attend the research and sign the informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: With active HBV or HCV infection, or serious opportunistic infections. With serious chronic disease such like diabetes, the mental illness,et al History of suffering from pancreatitis during cART. Pregnant or breast-fed. With poor adherence. Unable to complete follow up.

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