Gene therapy as a vaccine for HIV-1.

INTRODUCTION: An effective vaccine that can protect people against infection of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) remains elusive. HIV-1 vaccine research has encountered several false starts and a few causes for hope over the last 28 years, but no real success stories. Thus, it is time to think out of the box and design and test unorthodox vaccination strategies. AREAS COVERED: Recent studies in mice and monkeys have revealed the potential of a gene therapy that provides vaccine-like protection against HIV-1 infection by producing a potent vector-encoded antibody that neutralizes the invading viruses. This novel strategy is called Vectored Immuno Prophylaxis or VIP, and it circumvents the sometimes difficult phases of regular vaccination protocols, that is, antigen design and induction of protective immune responses. EXPERT OPINION: VIP is a prolonged form of passive immunization by means of a gene therapy. We will discuss the ins and outs of VIP and the therapeutic possibilities and challenges.