Anti-IFN alpha immunization raises the IFN alpha-neutralizing capacity of serum - an adjuvant to antiretroviral tritherapy

HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy) suppresses but does not eradic ate HIV-1 infection. However, since the antiretroviral agents used in HAART may also be toxic in the long-term, immunotherapies which correct HIV-1 im munosuppression or the cytokine dysregulation associated with it may be ben eficial. In this respect, a double blind multicentric placebo-controlled ph ase II/III anti-IFN alpha vaccine trial has been carried out on 242 HIV-1 p atients, the majority of whom were undergoing HAART treatment. In vaccinate d patients (vaccinees) who responded to immunization by increased levels of IFN alpha Abs (whether under HAART or not) when compared to placebo or non -responder vaccinees, a strong correlation was found between an increased I FN alpha neutralizing capacity and the reduction of clinical manifestations . (C) 1999 Elsevier, Paris.