autologous dendritic cells electroporated with HIV-1 Nef mRNA

Autologous dendritic cells electroporated with HIV-1 Nef mRNA is an experimental, personalized cell-based immunotherapy (therapeutic vaccine) developed collaboratively by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy) and Erasmus MC, Rotterdam. The vaccine is prepared by isolating a patient's own (autologous) monocyte-derived dendritic cells and electroporating them ex vivo with mRNA encoding the HIV-1 Nef antigen (consensus subtype B). In clinical trials, this formulation was evaluated as part of a multi-antigen regimen (DC-TRN) where dendritic cells electroporated with Tat, Rev, or Nef mRNA were administered as three separate preparations. Once re-administered to the patient, these antigen-presenting cells present Nef-derived epitopes on MHC class I and II molecules, stimulating HIV-1-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell immune responses, as well as enhancing natural killer (NK) cell activity. It has been evaluated in a Phase I/II clinical trial in HIV-1-infected adults on stable highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) to assess safety, immunogenicity, and viral rebound kinetics during an analytical treatment interruption.

Other names

autologous dendritic cells electroporated with Nef mRNANef mRNA-electroporated autologous dendritic cellsautologous dendritic cells transfected with HIV-1 Nef mRNA