AIDSmeds – Top Stories : Berlin Patient Follow-Up ‘Strongly Suggests’ HIV Cure – by Tim Horn

So more than two years ago I wrote about the Berlin patient who had been cured of HIV by a stem cell transplant. The great news is that 3.5 years late, he is still not HIV-positive. As the researchers put it:

“In summary,” the authors write, “our results demonstrate successful CD4+ T cell reconstitution at the systemic level as well as in the [gut] following [transplantation], and additionally provide evidence for the reduction in the size of the potential HIV reservoir overtime. Although the recovered CD4+ T cells are susceptible to infection with X4 HIV infection, the patient remains without any evidence for HIV infection since more than 3.5 years after discontinuation of ART. From these results, it is reasonable to conclude that cure of HIV infection has been achieved in this patient.”

This is not going to be a cure for most people. They had to kill (i.e. ablate or condition) his immune system, then find a donor whose stem cells made a rare particular receptor cell mutation (the long-term non-progressor mutation). Then he was on immune-suppression drugs for a long time.

But still he is the first cure (apart from all those Christians who have been cured over the phone in Boston NOT).

 

AIDSmeds – Top Stories : Berlin Patient Follow-Up ‘Strongly Suggests’ HIV Cure – by Tim Horn.

AIDSmeds – Top Stories : New HIV Eradication Study in Progress

AIDSmeds – Top Stories : New HIV Eradication Study in Progress.

Another promising study that looks at triggering resting T cells / viral reservoirs and then walloping them. Don’t hold your breath though – we’ve been down this path before.

AIDS Cure Research: North Carolina Scientist Study Cancer Drug

The search for an AIDS cure is about to take a new step as scientists begin human studies involving an existing but little-used cancer drug from Merck, reports Bloomberg News. David Margolis, MD, and his colleagues from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill hope the drug will take them further down the path of finally purging all HIV out of someone’s body, ultimately achieving a cure.

Researchers Identify Two FDA Approved Drugs That May Fight HIV

“Researchers at the University of Minnesota Academic Health Center (sic) have identified two drugs that, when combined, may serve as an effective treatment for HIV.”

Their mouse model uses decitabine and gemcitabine which are currently approved for cancer treatment, and they actually promote mutagenesis, which is a novel approach. The HIV apparently mutates so much and so quickly it evolves out of existence.

They can be used in lower doses to treat HIV than cancer, but are not  available as pills yet. The side effects sound like a bad day with HIV at the best of times.

Obviously we are still many trials away from a cure, but this is looking hopeful like they all do at this stage.

This is the 2nd cure announcement in a few months, so maybe things are looking up.

Just great 2 …

Fatigue Common in People With HIV

Up to 88 percent of people with HIV experience fatigue, and psychological problems appear to be one of the most likely culprits, according to a study published online June 2 in AIDS.

 

Just great …

PTSD Symptoms Common Among People With HIV

One third of HIV-positive men participating in a U.K. survey met the criteria for an HIV-related diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a report published in the August 16 issue of AIDS Patient Care and STDs. A particularly notable finding was that starting antiretroviral therapy can be a PTSD trigger among people living with HIV.

More on the HIV antibodies story from the source

Press release from the National Institutes of Health

Chillout Festival at Daylesford 2010

 

Chillout at Daylesford

 

My arty video on our trip to Daylesford for the Chillout Festival

A new Vaccine breakthrough …

From the Wall Street Journal

 "HIV research is undergoing a renaissance that could lead to new ways to vaccinate against the AIDS virus and other viral diseases.

In the latest development, U.S. government scientists say they have discovered three powerful antibodies, the strongest of which neutralizes 91% of HIV strains, more than any AIDS antibody yet discovered. They are now deploying the technique used to find those antibodies to identify antibodies to influenza viruses.

Mark Schoofs discusses a significant step toward an AIDS vaccine, U.S. government scientists have discovered three powerful antibodies, the strongest of which neutralizes 91% of HIV strains, more than any AIDS antibody yet discovered.

The HIV antibodies were discovered in the cells of a 60-year-old African-American gay man, known in the scientific literature as Donor 45, whose body made the antibodies naturally. The trick for scientists now is to develop a vaccine or other methods to make anyone’s body produce them as well. "

No vaccine yet, but who knows. This may be the breakthrough we’ve been waiting for

HIV vaccine breakthrough ‘gives hope’

A medical trial has revealed what could be the most significant development yet in the search for an effective HIV vaccine.

Researchers in Thailand say the results of a vaccine trial conducted over the past six years are the most promising to date – actually preventing some people from becoming infected with the virus.

But it is still a long way from being a useable vaccine.

For decades researchers have been seeking an effective vaccine for the human immunodeficiency virus, HIV.

The latest study in Thailand involved more than 16,000 healthy men and women aged from 18 to 30.

The trials were conducted in areas of high HIV risk, in the provinces of Chonburi and Rayon, home to the city of Pattaya, Thailand’s sleaze capital.

The region is also a hotspot for migration to and from Cambodia.

The trial began in October 2003 and wrapped up just a few months ago.

The results revealed the risk of getting HIV fell by almost a third for those who were vaccinated versus those who were not given the vaccine.

Dr Supachai Rerks-Ngarm from Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health says it is not exactly known what makes the so-called prime-boost combination of two vaccines work, but they say it is a breakthrough.

"This is the first project in the world where the design of the vaccine is not only safe, but it can also help reduce the chance of infection. It gives hope that an HIV vaccine can be developed," he said.

‘Too low to risk’

This study will be used in further research but Don Baxter from the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations says it is unlikely that the vaccine will be made available to the general public.

"Well it’s the first vaccine that I think that’s really shown any efficacy," he said.

"But 30 per cent is far too low to risk putting it out into a general population because condom use would drop and we’d actually end up with more infections."

If an effective vaccine can be developed it would help the estimated 650,000 Thais who have the virus, among them close to 15,000 children.

The trials were funded and assisted by the US Army, which has spent $140 million in this trial alone to ensure that its troops are protected from the infection as they travel the world and to assist in the global fight against the virus.

The United States Ambassador to Thailand, Eric G John, says the trial brings scientists closer to finding an effective vaccine for the virus.

"This trial will be recognised as a testament to Thailand’s ability to successfully execute a complicated vaccine trial, the largest ever attempted that ended with a credible conclusion and that brought us one step closer to an HIV vaccine," he said.

The United Nations has welcomed the results, saying they offer new hope to the estimated 40 million people worldwide who have contracted the virus.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/24/2695951.htm