Description:
Inhibiting the ability of HIV-1, the virus that causes AIDS, to infect cells is one approach to both prevention and treatment of HIV. Scientists at the NIAID Vaccine Research Center have isolated and characterized neutralizing antibodies (VRC01, 02, 03, and 07) that bind to the CD4 binding site of HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120. These human monoclonal antibodies can potentially be used as a therapeutic to: (1) treat an HIV infection, (2) decrease and prevent HIV-transmission from mother to infant, and (3) be effectively combined with anti-retroviral drug therapy. Additionally, the antibodies can be used for detection of HIV-1 infection in biological samples, including body fluids; and tissues from biopsies, autopsies, and pathology specimens.
VRC01 has been tested in several phase I clinical trials for safety and pharmacokinetics in infants, adults, and HIV-positive adults. VRC01 is currently being evaluated in a phase II clinical trial for prevention of HIV-1 acquisition.