CELLULAR VACCINES

A strong and specific T-cell immune response in the absence of broadly neutralizing antibodies may blunt the initial viremia, even if the infection is not completely prevented. Thus, more recent vaccine efforts have been directed toward stimulating the cellular  immune response. Particular attention has been paid to those vaccines that induce an HIV-specific CD8 CTL response whose role in the control of virus load and evolution of disease has been well documented in the macaque model. Although the T-cell vaccines do not prevent the HIV infection, they do help vaccines who get infected to control viral replication and reduce viral loads, thus resulting in less risk of transmission of the disease to seronegative partners.