Immune control of HIV-1 infection after therapy interruption: immediate versus deferred antiretroviral therapy
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The optimal stage for initiating antiretroviral therapies in HIV-1 bearing patients is still a matter of debate.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We present computer simulations of HIV-1 infection aimed at identifying th...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2009-10-01
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| Series: | BMC Infectious Diseases |
| Online Access: | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/9/172 |
| _version_ | 1818145583318171648 |
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| author | Bernaschi Massimo Carello Rossella Paci Paola D'Offizi Gianpiero Castiglione Filippo |
| author_facet | Bernaschi Massimo Carello Rossella Paci Paola D'Offizi Gianpiero Castiglione Filippo |
| author_sort | Bernaschi Massimo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The optimal stage for initiating antiretroviral therapies in HIV-1 bearing patients is still a matter of debate.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We present computer simulations of HIV-1 infection aimed at identifying the <it>pro et contra </it>of <it>immediate </it>as compared to <it>deferred </it>Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our simulations highlight that a prompt specific CD8<sup>+ </sup>cytotoxic T lymphocytes response is detected when therapy is delayed. Compared to very early initiation of HAART, in deferred treated patients CD8<sup>+ </sup>T cells manage to mediate the decline of viremia in a shorter time and, at interruption of therapy, the virus experiences a stronger immune pressure. We also observe, however, that the immunological effects of the therapy fade with time in both therapeutic regimens. Thus, within one year from discontinuation, viral burden recovers to the value at which it would level off in the absence of therapy.</p> <p>In summary, simulations show that immediate therapy does not prolong the disease-free period and does not confer a survival benefit when compared to treatment started during the chronic infection phase.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our conclusion is that, since there is no therapy to date that guarantees life-long protection, deferral of therapy should be preferred in order to minimize the risk of adverse effects, the occurrence of drug resistances and the costs of treatment.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T12:05:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-06ebd8c678a244709580bd5bdfed44c7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2334 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T12:05:46Z |
| publishDate | 2009-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Infectious Diseases |
| spelling | doaj.art-06ebd8c678a244709580bd5bdfed44c72022-12-22T01:07:56ZengBMCBMC Infectious Diseases1471-23342009-10-019117210.1186/1471-2334-9-172Immune control of HIV-1 infection after therapy interruption: immediate versus deferred antiretroviral therapyBernaschi MassimoCarello RossellaPaci PaolaD'Offizi GianpieroCastiglione Filippo<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The optimal stage for initiating antiretroviral therapies in HIV-1 bearing patients is still a matter of debate.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We present computer simulations of HIV-1 infection aimed at identifying the <it>pro et contra </it>of <it>immediate </it>as compared to <it>deferred </it>Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our simulations highlight that a prompt specific CD8<sup>+ </sup>cytotoxic T lymphocytes response is detected when therapy is delayed. Compared to very early initiation of HAART, in deferred treated patients CD8<sup>+ </sup>T cells manage to mediate the decline of viremia in a shorter time and, at interruption of therapy, the virus experiences a stronger immune pressure. We also observe, however, that the immunological effects of the therapy fade with time in both therapeutic regimens. Thus, within one year from discontinuation, viral burden recovers to the value at which it would level off in the absence of therapy.</p> <p>In summary, simulations show that immediate therapy does not prolong the disease-free period and does not confer a survival benefit when compared to treatment started during the chronic infection phase.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our conclusion is that, since there is no therapy to date that guarantees life-long protection, deferral of therapy should be preferred in order to minimize the risk of adverse effects, the occurrence of drug resistances and the costs of treatment.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/9/172 |
| spellingShingle | Bernaschi Massimo Carello Rossella Paci Paola D'Offizi Gianpiero Castiglione Filippo Immune control of HIV-1 infection after therapy interruption: immediate versus deferred antiretroviral therapy BMC Infectious Diseases |
| title | Immune control of HIV-1 infection after therapy interruption: immediate versus deferred antiretroviral therapy |
| title_full | Immune control of HIV-1 infection after therapy interruption: immediate versus deferred antiretroviral therapy |
| title_fullStr | Immune control of HIV-1 infection after therapy interruption: immediate versus deferred antiretroviral therapy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Immune control of HIV-1 infection after therapy interruption: immediate versus deferred antiretroviral therapy |
| title_short | Immune control of HIV-1 infection after therapy interruption: immediate versus deferred antiretroviral therapy |
| title_sort | immune control of hiv 1 infection after therapy interruption immediate versus deferred antiretroviral therapy |
| url | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/9/172 |
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