Stem cell–derived CAR T cells traffic to HIV reservoirs in macaques

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) with CCR5– donor cells is the only treatment known to cure HIV-1 in patients underlying malignancy. This likely due a cell–mediated graft-versus-host effect targeting HIV reservoirs. Allo-HSCT would not be an acceptable therapy for most people living transplant-related side effects. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) immunotherapies specifically traffic malignant lymphoid tissues (lymphomas) and, some settings, are able replace allo-HSCT. Here, we quantified engraftment of HSC-derived, virus-directed CAR T within reservoirs macaque model infection, using potentially novel IHC assays. HSC-derived trafficked and displayed multilineage tissue-associated viral reservoirs, persisting nearly 2 years germinal centers, brain, gastrointestinal tract. Our findings demonstrate that CAR+ reside long-term proliferate numerous relevant infection cancer.