The close link between immune activation and HIV-1 replication suggests that efforts should be made to protect the patients from exogenous stimuli (inter-current infections, antigen exposure) to maintain the immune system of HIV-1 infected individuals in as quiescent a state as possible.

Wahl SM, Orenstein JM Immune Stimulation and HIV-1 Viral Replication J  Leukoc Biol. 1997 Jul;62(1):67-71. Review.

In essence, HIV has learned to overcome the immune system by taking advantage of it.  Each response simply provides more targets for the virus to attach to and the means for it to replicate within the very cells that should protect the body from disease. Even when blood levels of the virus are undetectable after treatment with triple drug therapy (HAART), the virus still remains in reservoirs within the immune system, escaping surveillance until they receive activation signals. Whatever the trigger may be, immune activation sets off a new round of viral replication and further immune response.  This continues until eventually the immune system is exhausted, leading to the terminal phase of the disease, AIDS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.

Targeting the immune system and not the virus

Unlike any other approach to the treatment of HIV that targets some aspect of the virus’ life cycle,  Immugen believes that modulation of the immune response represents a viable alternative to the currently available therapies. Since it is the heightened immune response which perpetuates the disease, Immugen believes that by depriving the memory T-cells of the requisite signals needed for activation, the virus will not replicate. Such signals are provided by specialized cells in the immune system known as antigen presenting cells, whose activities are modulated by marijuana and related drugs in Immugen's development pipeline.

Changing the Dynamics of HIV Replication

The current research effort is directed towards blunting activation of the memory cells in which the undetected virus resides. Rather than attempting to flush the virus out of its reservoirs to eradicate it, Immugen seeks to reinforce the mechanism(s)  by which viral latency is maintained in order to prolong the life of the host. Achieving Quiescence™ is a concept which embraces the different aspects of a regulatory system within the immune system that results in the restoration of its homeostasis. Current antiretroviral therapy (ARV) also restores homeostasis, but without treatment, the virus will rebound. Unfortunately, resistance to the various ARVs is inevitable. However, reprogramming the immune response to be anti-inflammatory and regulatory changes the environment and alters the dynamics of viral replication, with much less risk of resistance.

One of HIV's successful adaptive strategies is mutation. Even the most efficacious current drug therapies will eventually fail, since the more genetic pressure is applied to the virus, the more likely it will mutate. Even the immune system's specialized cells, the cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), which target infected cells, apply such a strong genetic pressure that viral escape results. Immugen believes mutations will decrease as  immunomodulation decreases.

Immugen's quest is to bring its compounds through the development process and emerge as the leading, cost-effective drug for the treatment of HIV/AIDS.  We believe it will be affordable to the majority of those who are afflicted by the disease all over the world.