A groundbreaking new HIV treatment is showing promising results in animal studies, with the potential to significantly change the way the virus is managed. Scientists have developed a single-dose therapy that could offer long-term control of HIV, potentially eliminating the need for daily medication.
The experimental treatment, known as a therapeutic interfering particle (TIP), is a genetically engineered version of HIV designed to be harmless to its host. This engineered virus replicates quickly, effectively outcompeting the harmful HIV virus within the body.
In a study published in the journal Science, researchers tested the TIP on six rhesus macaques infected with an aggressive version of HIV. The macaques who received the TIP experienced a dramatic decrease in virus levels, reaching 10,000 times lower than those who didn’t receive the treatment. Additionally, the TIP-treated monkeys displayed stronger immune responses and no signs of inflammation, while the untreated group developed severe illness.
The TIP’s ability to replicate continuously throughout the study period suggests that this therapy could provide long-lasting protection. The researchers also observed similar positive results when applying TIPs to lab mice with human immune cells and to human blood cells infected with HIV.
While the treatment holds immense promise, Adrian Wildfire, a virologist and drug development scientist not involved in the research, cautions that the long-term effects are still unknown. He believes that while the treatment could initially be very effective, the body’s immune response to the TIP may eventually become exhausted, allowing HIV to regain a foothold.
Despite this potential limitation, the research represents a significant leap forward in the fight against HIV. The scientists are currently planning to test the TIP in macaques infected with well-controlled HIV, hoping to eventually transition to human clinical trials. The goal is to provide a new treatment option for people living with HIV, allowing them to live long, healthy lives without the constant need for daily medication.
