a1DC

a1DC is an investigational autologous dendritic cell (DC)-based therapeutic vaccine, specifically utilizing alpha-type-1 polarized dendritic cells (αDC1), for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. Developed by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh in collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), this personalized immunotherapy involves harvesting a patient's own monocytes, differentiating them into αDC1s, and loading them with autologous HIV-1 antigens (such as Gag, Env, and Pol peptides) or inactivated whole virus. The αDC1s are characterized by their high production of IL-12p70, which enhances their ability to induce potent Th1-type and CD8+ T-cell responses. The vaccine aims to stimulate the patient's immune system to better control viral replication and eliminate HIV-infected cells. It is currently being evaluated in Phase I clinical trials (e.g., DC-HIV04) for safety and immunogenicity in HIV-infected individuals on stable antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Other names

autologous dendritic cell vaccineDC-HIV04DC-HIV-04DC-HIV 04alpha-type-1 polarized dendritic cell vaccinealpha-type1 polarized dendritic cell vaccinealpha-type 1 polarized dendritic cell vaccinealpha-DC1alpha-DC-1alpha-DC 1