Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV Controllers Reduces Immune Activation and Exhaustion

HIV controllers are people who have low or undetectable HIV RNA levels without taking antiretroviral therapy (ART). Even though these individuals rarely develop opportunistic infections, they tend to have higher levels of immune activation than people with HIV who are receiving ART. This excess immune activation may, in turn, have deleterious effects, like promoting cardiovascular disease. Now, in an AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) study that was partially manufacturer-supported, investigators assessed whether ART reduces T-cell activation in HIV controllers.

A total of 35 HIV controllers — defined as having HIV RNA <500 copies/mL for ≥12 months — initiated an antiretroviral regimen consisting of tenofovir/emtricitabine/rilpivirine. HIV RN…