Early cART and cART in Combination With Autologous HIV-1 Specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte (CTL) Infusion in The Treatment of Acute HIV-1 Infected Adults

Although combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) can suppress HIV-1 replication to a very low level in the blood, but it cannot eliminate latent viral reservoirs, and need lifelong adherence to expensive regimens that have potential side effects. Increasing evidence indicates that early antiretroviral therapy for recently HIV-infected patients results in slower progression of HIV disease and represent a unique opportunity to interfere with either the quantities or qualities of persistent reservoirs of replication-competent virus. However, the time course before the interruption of cART is unclear. This study will compare the virological and immunological outcomes and HIV latency of recently infected adults who receive cART or cART in combination with autologous HIV-1 CTL infusion for different periods. The study will last 120 weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the cART or the cART plus autologous HIV-1 CTL infusion arm of one of three cohorts. The three cohorts will differ in the period of cART given. Cohort 1, Cohort 2 or Cohort 3 will receive cART (Zidovudine (AZT)/Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) +Lamivudine (3TC） + Lopinavir / Ritonavir （LPV/r)） for 48, 72 or 96 weeks, respectively. After 48, 72 or 96 weeks, cART will be interrupted respectively. Study visits will occur at study entry, Week 4 and 12, and every 12 weeks thereafter through treatment interruption, then every 4 weeks through 12 weeks later, then every 12 weeks through Week 120. At each study visit, a physical exam, blood collection, and completion of an adherence questionnaire will occur. Clinical, virological, and immunological evaluations and HIV latency examination will be performed at most study visit.