Summary: Current treatment for HIV
is a lifelong regimen of antiretroviral drugs that place significant economic
and clinical stress on the patients being treated. Additionally, if individuals
stop taking these drugs, the virus quickly multiplies and rebounds to its
original levels. A major component in the weakening of the immune system by the
virus occurs through the destruction of immune cells in the gut. The virus
targets these cells, forcing the body to work continuously to repair the damage
and, subsequently, pulling needed resources from the rest of the immune system.
Researchers have developed a therapy to destroy the protein attached to the
cells that directs them to the gut and allows the body to mount a system-wide
immune response during infection. When used after a course of antiretrovirals,
monkeys receiving the new therapy have been able to control the infection
without additional treatments for two years. A safety study for use in humans
is currently underway.
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