Susceptibility to 3BNC117 and 10-1074 in ART suppressed chronically infected persons

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the susceptibility of HIV to two HIV monoclonal antibodies (bnAbs), 3BNC117 and 10-1074, in individuals with chronically antiretroviral therapy (ART) suppressed HIV infection.

DESIGN

The susceptibility of bnAbs was determined using the PhenoSense mAb Assay, which is a cell-based infectivity assay designed to assess the susceptibility of luciferase-reporter pseudovirions. This assay is the only Clinical Laboratory Improvement Ammendment (CLIA)/College of American Pathologist (CAP) compliant screening test specifically developed for evaluating bnAb susceptibility in people with HIV infection.

METHOD

The susceptibility of luciferase-reporter pseudovirions, derived from HIV-1 envelope proteins obtained from peripheral bloodmononuclear cells of 61 ART-suppressed individuals, to 3BNC117 and 10-1074 bnAbs was assessed using the PhenoSense mAb assay. Susceptibility was defined as an IC 90 of <2.0 μg/ml and 1.5 μg/ml for 3BNC117 and 10-1074, respectively.

RESULTS

About half of the individuals who were chronically infected and virologically suppressed were found to harbor virus with reduced susceptibility to one or both of the tested bnAbs.

CONCLUSIONS

The reduced combined susceptibility of 3BNC117 and 10-1074 highlights a potential limitation of using only two bnAbs for pre-exposure prophylaxis or treatment. Further studies are needed to define and validate the clinical correlates of bnAb susceptibility.

Abstract PO-135: Utility of formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded prostate biospecimens from low-resource international settings for use in next generation sequencing studies in African-descent populations

Background: Men of African ancestry experience higher burden from prostate cancer compared to men of other ancestral backgrounds. Limitations in the availability of high-quality biospecimens have hindered the inclusion of this population in genetic studies of prostate cancer. The use of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues represents a potential rich source of genetic material particularly in some international settings, where fresh frozen tissue is difficult to obtain. Methods: A total of 976 FFPE blocks were collected between 2002 and 2017 from six international sites in Africa and the Caribbean. Genomic DNA was checked for quality and quantity. Differences in mean quality control (QC) for pre and post pathology training were assessed using t-test. Pearson chi-square with trend analysis examined association between time-category and QC success status. Association of continuous DNA quality (Q129/Q41 ratio) and time of specimen collection was estimated with linear regression. Samples with a DNA quantity &gt;0.2µg and a Q129/Q41 ratio &gt;0.00225 were submitted for whole exome sequencing (WES). Findings: Specimens from 2002 to 2010 and 2011 to 2017 had an average total DNA yield of 1.4 μg and 2.4 ug, respectively. There was a statistical positive difference in the quality of DNA samples over time indicating an improvement in quality of specimens. For the samples Insert size, mean mapping quality and alignment error rate significantly (p≤0.05) improved for samples submitted for WES, post pathology training. Interpretation: FFPE samples from low-resource settings could potentially provide sufficient DNA for WES. Improvements in biospecimen collection for research are needed in these settings.

Citation Format: Ernest Kaninjing, Damian Francis, Katy Brignole, Keyode Adeniji, William Aiken, Cherif Dial, Mohammed Faruk, Omolara Fatiregun, Andrew Gachii, Denise Gibbs, Serigne Gueye, Maria Jackson, Mohamed Jalloh, Paul Jibrin, B. Karanam, Jyoti Kumar Shravana, Mamadou Ndoye, Ogo Chidiebere Ndukwe, John Obafunwa, Folakemi Odedina, Ademola Popoola, Camile Ragin, Jason White, Clayton Yates, Damali N. Martin. Utility of formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded prostate biospecimens from low-resource international settings for use in next generation sequencing studies in African-descent populations [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-135.

Photonic approach to the selective inactivation of viruses with a near-infrared subpicosecond fiber laser

We report a photonic approach for selective inactivation of viruses with a near-infrared subpicosecond laser. We demonstrate that this method can selectively inactivate viral particles ranging from nonpathogenic viruses such as the M13 bacteriophage and the tobacco mosaic virus to pathogenic viruses such as the human papillomavirus and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). At the same time, sensitive materials such as human Jurkat T cells, human red blood cells, and mouse dendritic cells remain unharmed. The laser technology targets the global mechanical properties of the viral protein shell, making it relatively insensitive to the local genetic mutation in the target viruses. As a result, the approach can inactivate both the wild and mutated strains of viruses. This intriguing advantage is particularly important in the treatment of diseases involving rapidly mutating viral species such as HIV. Our photonic approach could be used for the disinfection of viral pathogens in blood products and for the treatment of blood-borne viral diseases in the clinic.