Predictors of plasma human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA control after discontinuation of highly active antiretroviral therapy initiated at acute infection combined with structured treatment interruptions and immune-based therapies

Thirty patients with acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 infection received a combination of 3 antiretroviral drugs (n = 15) or 4 antiretroviral drugs plus hydroxyurea and interleukin-2 (n = 15) for 24 months, followed by 1 - 3 structured therapeutic interruptions ( STIs). Viral control, defined as maintaining plasma viremia <5000 copies/mL without therapy, was achieved in 14 cases. Lymphocyte subsets, plasma HIV-1 RNA loads, proviral DNA loads in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), residual HIV-1 RNA loads in PBMCs and in lymph node cells, and anti-p24 lymphoproliferative response were measured. In the multivariate analysis, proviral DNA loads in PBMCs and anti-p24 lymphoproliferative response assessed at 24 months were independently correlated with viral control after STI. These results enabled us to define a subgroup of patients for whom safe discontinuation of therapy initiated at acute infection was suitable and contributed to ascertaining priority for biological parameter assessment in future clinical trials.