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

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.

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.