Can HIV-Specific Immunity Be Created?
Presented by Dr. Eric Rosenberg The various approaches to immune-based therapy can be summarized in the following way. If untreated, HIV generally leads to immune exhaustion. Our understanding of why this happens is that a key part of our immune system, called cellular immunity, has the potential to control HIV infection. However, HIV usually destroys these key cells within weeks to months. The major approach to the successful treatment of HIV has been to use antiviral medications, which in numerous combinations act to interrupt the ability of HIV to grow. This then allows the immune system to recover, and studies continue to note the increasing success that this approach has in restoring immunity to many infections. However, this restoration occurs while HIV is itself suppressed and barely “seen” by the immune system. Immune function directed against HIV rarely if ever recovers and the body relies on the assistance of HIV medications to control HIV. However, in those who are long-term
