Breastfeeding: Gene therapy aims to prevent HIV transmission

Despite progress in HIV-1 prophylaxis, vertical transmission remains a major problem, especially in developing countries. Access to antiretroviral drugs is far from guaranteed everywhere worldwide. This is an important reason why, for example, many Children become infected with the virus while breastfeeding from their HIV-positive mothers.

In »Nature« scientists now report on a successfully tested at least in animal models Gene therapy . The researchers administered a single intramuscular gene therapy to primates of different ages. This consisted of an adeno-associated virus that contains the genetic instructions for cells in the body to produce an HIV-1-specific, broadly neutralizing antibody called 3BNC117.

The gene therapy resulted in robust production of the protective antibody in almost 90 percent of the newborn macaques. Almost all animals treated at birth were protected from infection with HIV protection was provided. No side effects were documented, and the protection provided by the vaccination lasted for several years. Early intervention appears to be particularly important, as the success rate decreased when gene therapy was administered to older infants.

With further research, this method could offer a relatively simple way to prevent HIV-1 transmission during breastfeeding in parts of the world with limited medical resources, according to senior author Professor Dr. Mauricio A. Martins in a press release from the University of Florida in Gainesville, USA. According to the physician, it could therefore offer protection to a highly vulnerable population. The next step in development will be conducting clinical trials.