Cure Research CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network

HIV Cure Breakthrough: Functional Cure Trials Imminent

Cure Research CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network

By  Levi Wuckert

HIV, a virus that attacks the body's immune system, has been a major global health concern for decades. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been the mainstay of HIV treatment, but it does not cure the infection. A possible functional cure for HIV is a treatment that would eliminate the virus from the body or reduce it to undetectable levels, allowing the immune system to recover and preventing the development of AIDS.

A functional cure for HIV would be a major breakthrough in the fight against the disease. It would eliminate the need for lifelong ART, reduce the risk of HIV transmission, and improve the quality of life for people living with HIV. Several approaches to a functional cure for HIV are being investigated, including gene therapy, stem cell transplantation, and immune-based therapies.

One promising approach to a functional cure for HIV is gene therapy. Gene therapy involves modifying a person's DNA to make their cells resistant to HIV infection. Several gene therapy approaches are being investigated, including CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing and lentiviral vectors. Another approach to a functional cure for HIV is stem cell transplantation. Stem cell transplantation involves replacing a person's immune system with stem cells from a donor who is resistant to HIV infection. This approach has been shown to be effective in curing HIV in a small number of patients.

Immune-based therapies are another promising approach to a functional cure for HIV. Immune-based therapies work by stimulating the body's own immune system to fight HIV. Several immune-based therapies are being investigated, including checkpoint inhibitors and CAR T-cell therapy. Checkpoint inhibitors are drugs that block the checkpoints on immune cells, allowing them to more effectively kill HIV-infected cells. CAR T-cell therapy involves genetically modifying a person's T cells to express a receptor that targets HIV-infected cells.

A possible functional cure for HIV would be a major breakthrough in the fight against the disease. It would eliminate the need for lifelong ART, reduce the risk of HIV transmission, and improve the quality of life for people living with HIV. Several approaches to a functional cure for HIV are being investigated, and there is hope that a cure will be found in the near future.

FAQs on a Possible Functional Cure for HIV

The announcement that a possible functional cure for HIV will soon begin human trials has generated a lot of excitement and hope. However, it is important to remember that this is still in the early stages of research, and there are still many unknowns. Here are some frequently asked questions about a possible functional cure for HIV:

Question 1: What is a functional cure for HIV?


A functional cure for HIV is a treatment that would eliminate the virus from the body or reduce it to undetectable levels, allowing the immune system to recover and preventing the development of AIDS. This would not be a complete cure in the sense that the virus would be completely eradicated from the body, but it would be a major breakthrough in the fight against HIV.

Question 2: How close are we to a functional cure for HIV?


Several approaches to a functional cure for HIV are being investigated, and some have shown promising results in early clinical trials. However, more research is needed to determine whether these approaches are safe and effective in the long term. It is difficult to say exactly how close we are to a functional cure for HIV, but there is hope that one will be found in the near future.

Summary of key takeaways or final thought

Conclusion

A possible functional cure for HIV would be a major breakthrough in the fight against the disease. It would eliminate the need for lifelong ART, reduce the risk of HIV transmission, and improve the quality of life for people living with HIV. Several approaches to a functional cure for HIV are being investigated, and there is hope that a cure will be found in the near future.

The development of a functional cure for HIV is a complex and challenging task, but it is one that is worth pursuing. The potential benefits of a functional cure are enormous, and it would be a major step forward in the fight against HIV.

Cure Research CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network
Cure Research CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network

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Opinion This is Not A Cure for My H.I.V. The New York Times
Opinion This is Not A Cure for My H.I.V. The New York Times

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