Researchers Use Viral Vectors to Deliver HIV Drug in Macaque Study

Researchers have used adeno-associated vectors to deliver the CCR5-blocking HIV drug leronlimab in a preclinical study. A single dose of the vector elicited leronlimab expression in infected macaques. The treatment partially suppressed SHIV, a simian version of HIV, for as long as one year.

The vectors were engineered to produce the monoclonal antibody leronlimab, which blocks the CCR5 co-receptor that HIV and SHIV use to enter cells. After administration, the macaques showed measurable levels of the drug and a reduction in viral activity that persisted for months.

The single-dose delivery method produced leronlimab expression without requiring repeated injections. Treated animals exhibited partial viral suppression lasting up to one year. The study used SHIV-infected macaques as the disease model. This approach aims to overcome limitations of current leronlimab administration, which typically requires frequent dosing.

The adeno-associated vectors serve as a delivery vehicle that enables longer-term production of the antibody inside the body. Further research will be needed to assess whether the partial suppression observed can be improved or sustained indefinitely.

The results add to ongoing efforts to develop long-acting HIV treatments and potential functional cures. While the macaque data showed only partial suppression rather than complete viral clearance, the duration of effect from a single dose represents a notable outcome in the study.