The AELIX-002 trial has been conducted on a cohort of individuals who started cART within the first 6 months after the primary VIH infection, thus increasing the likelihood of observing a certain rate of post-treatment controls (PTC), regardless of treatment efficacy. Although the kinetics of HIV rebound should allow observing differences between placebo and control regarding the post treatment controls rate in case of efficacy of the IMPs, assessing the length and determinants of a post-intervention control (PIC) (i.e., associated with vaccination) beyond 24 weeks is crucial for developing a curative approach to HIV infection. In this regard, an extension of the ATI phase for those individuals with pVL less than 2,000 copies/mL after 24 weeks of ATI in the AELIX-002 offers an unique research opportunity to better understand relevant aspects of the mechanisms involved in the different phenotypes of a PIC and PTC.~This trial will enrol participants of the AELIX-002 clinical trial regardless of whether they received vaccines or placebo, who reach 24 weeks of ATI with pVL <2,000 cop/ml and are willing to remain off cART. After accepting participation, subjects will undergo a one-year extension [48 weeks] of ATI monitoring (total duration of ATI envisioned will be of 72 weeks [24 weeks in AELIX-002 study + 48 weeks in current study]), followed by 24 weeks of safety follow-up after cART is resumed.~The primary objective of this study is to assess the safety and durability of viral control after AELIX-002 clinical trial intervention beyond 6 months of ATI. Furthermore, the study will collect biological samples to be stored for further investigational studies.
The AELIX-002 trial has been conducted on a cohort of individuals who started cART within the first 6 months after the primary VIH infection, thus increasing the likelihood of observing a certain rate of post-treatment controls (PTC), regardless of treatment efficacy. Although the kinetics of HIV rebound should allow observing differences between placebo and control regarding the post treatment controls rate in case of efficacy of the IMPs, assessing the length and determinants of a post-intervention control (PIC) (i.e., associated with vaccination) beyond 24 weeks is crucial for developing a curative approach to HIV infection. In this regard, an extension of the ATI phase for those individuals with pVL less than 2,000 copies/mL after 24 weeks of ATI in the AELIX-002 offers an unique research opportunity to better understand relevant aspects of the mechanisms involved in the different phenotypes of a PIC and PTC.