Estimating the benefit of an HIV-1 vaccine that reduces viral load set point

J Infect Dis. 2007 Feb 15;195(4):546-50. doi: 10.1086/510909. Epub 2007 Jan 5.

Abstract

Vaccines designed to induce cell-mediated immune responses against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 are being developed. Such vaccines are unlikely to provide sterilizing immunity but may be associated with reduced viral set points after infection. We modeled the potential impact of a vaccine that reduces viral set point after infection, using natural history data from 311 HIV-1 seroconverters. Log-normal parametric regression models were used to estimate the log median time to events of interest. Relative times were estimated for those with viral load set points of 30,000 copies/mL (reference group) versus those with lower viral set points. The time to key clinical events in the course of HIV-1 disease progression was significantly extended for those with viral set points 0.5-1.25 log(10) copies/mL lower than the reference group. By quantifying the anticipated clinical benefits associated with a reduction in viral set point, these findings support the use of virologic end points in HIV-1 vaccine trials.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Vaccines / immunology*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Disease Progression
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / therapy
  • HIV Infections / virology*
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • HIV-1 / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Regression Analysis
  • Time Factors
  • Viral Load*

Substances

  • AIDS Vaccines