A new form of immunotherapy undergoing testing at The Rockefeller University has caused dramatic reductions in the amount of HIV found in patients' blood.
The therapy revolves around 3BNC117, known as a broadly neutralizing antibody. Up to 30% of patients eventually produce 3BNC117 antibodies to fight HIV, although the production typically begins long after the virus has developed an immunity to the antibodies.
Researchers injected 3BNC117 antibodies into patients with earlier stages of HIV and saw the amount of virus in their bloodstreams, known as the viral load, decrease 300-fold. The viral load remained low for up to eight weeks after a single injection.
"What's special about these antibodies is that they have activity against over 80 percent of HIV strains and they are extremely potent," remarked study co-author Marina Caskey.