How does this research differ from others?
1.) This is a therapeutic approach for the HIV-infected, not preventative vaccine.
2.) This is a therapy, not product. Nor is it an anti-retroviral treatment. ARVs are aimed at eradication of the virus. Approximately 20% of the existing HIV-infected population do not respond to ARVS and may benefit from T-cell vaccination - in addition to those who'd like to be spared a lifetime regime of daily medication.
3.) The therapy-based protocol encourages study compliance. Pill-bases ARV treatment require complicated lifelong dosage protocols. T-cell therapy is administered over 24 months, after which the cumulative vaccine effect created may only need an occasional booster dose, if at all, for the lifespan of the patient.
4.) To date, studies show lack of toxicity in the T-cell vaccination method.
5.) A sub-study now applies the technique in advance of anti-retroviral protocols with the aim of delaying the need to resort to anti-retrovirals - perhaps indefinitely in some individuals.
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