recombinant human interleukin-7 (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)

Recombinant human interleukin-7 (rhIL-7) is a biologic cytokine therapy investigated by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) for the treatment of HIV infection. As a recombinant version of the endogenous IL-7 cytokine, it acts as an agonist for the interleukin-7 receptor (CD127), which is primarily expressed on T cells. The drug's mechanism involves promoting the survival, maturation, and homeostatic proliferation of T cells, with the therapeutic goal of increasing CD4+ T cell counts in HIV-infected individuals who have suboptimal immune recovery despite suppressive antiretroviral therapy. Clinical evaluation in Phase I trials (such as ACTG 5214) demonstrated its ability to expand T cell populations; however, subsequent analysis revealed that rhIL-7 also increased the frequency of CD4+ T cells containing integrated HIV DNA, thereby promoting the persistence of the viral reservoir and limiting its utility as an eradication strategy.

Other names

rhIL-7rhIL7rhIL 7IL-7IL7IL 7interleukin-7interleukin7interleukin 7