Induction of REV and TAT-specific cytotoxic T-cells for prevention and treatment of human immunosuppressive virus (HIV) infection

摘要

The presence of cytotoxic T-cells to the Rev and/or Tat protein in samples from a subject infected with immunodeficiency virus, particularly HIV in humans, is an indication of a stable disease condition and a favorable prognosis of lack of progression to disease. Immunogenic compositions containing at least one cytotoxic T-cell epitope of the Rev and/or Tat protein of an immunodeficiency virus, particularly HIV, or a vector encoding the T-cell epitope, may be used to prevent infection by disease caused by the immunodeficiency virus, by stimulating, in the host, a specific cytotoxic T-cell response specific for the respective Rev and/or Tat proteins.