In this study, simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected monkeys were treated with the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing treatment (EBT-001) to evaluate its safety, biodistribution, and efficacy in targeting integrated SIV. The study found that a single intravenous administration of EBT-001 was well-tolerated and effectively reached and excised viral reservoirs in the monkeys without observed off-target effects. The researchers also developed viral-specific guide RNAs for the CRISPR system to target SIV with minimal unintended effects. These results support the potential use of EBT-001 for the safe and specific editing of latent HIV proviral DNA.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41434-023-00410-4