HIV-1 T-cell immunogen (HTI) (HTI)

HIVARNA01.3 is a therapeutic mRNA vaccine candidate designed to treat HIV-1 infection by inducing a robust and broad T-cell response against the HIVACAT T-cell Immunogen (HTI) [1, 5, 6]. The HTI immunogen is a chimeric protein incorporating 16 highly conserved regions of the HIV-1 genome, specifically from the Gag, Pol, Vif, and Nef proteins, which are essential for viral fitness and replication [6]. By focusing the immune response on these conserved segments, the vaccine aims to prevent viral escape and facilitate the clearance of infected cells, mimicking the natural immune control observed in "elite controllers" [3, 6]. HIVARNA01.3 is typically evaluated as part of a "kick and kill" strategy, often in combination with latency-reversing agents like romidepsin and broadly neutralizing antibodies like 10-1074 to target the latent HIV reservoir [1, 5]. Clinical trials, such as the Phase I/IIa HIVACAR study (NCT03619278), have investigated its safety, immunogenicity, and ability to maintain viral suppression during analytical treatment interruptions [1, 3, 5]. The vaccine is administered via intranodal or intramuscular injection to optimize the activation of antigen-presenting cells and the subsequent induction of HIV-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes [6].

Other names

HIVARNA01.3iHIVARNAHIVACAT T-cell ImmunogenHTI mRNA vaccineiHIVARNA-01

Induction of T-cell mediated immune response against conserved HIV-1 epitopes to control viral replication.