Immunotherapies Against HIV

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the causal agent of the spectrum of disorders known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).  For decades, those infected have found relief from anti-retroviral therapies that suppress viral numbers.  However, the treatments are difficult, require strict compliance and are not 100% efficacious.  New therapies have been developed that target the virus using Chimeric Antigen Receptor engineered T cells.  These immune cells have been armed with genetically engineered receptors and localization signals that home in on a target, like HIV.  Dr. Pamela Skinner is a Professor at the University of Minnesota.  Her group collaborates with other leading labs to develop CAR-T cell based therapies for HIV, and she is optimistic about the success of these new approaches.