London man the key to Aids cure?

It is hoped the test, which takes fluid from the womb, can give early warning to women carrying genes that increase their risk of the disease. Picture: Timothy Bernard

It is hoped the test, which takes fluid from the womb, can give early warning to women carrying genes that increase their risk of the disease. Picture: Timothy Bernard

Published Apr 14, 2015

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London - A London man could hold the key to finding a cure for the Aids virus.

The 59-year-old is a member of a very rare group of HIV-positive patients who never get sick or go on to develop Aids, because their immune systems are more active against the virus than those who do.

Scientists are studying the man’s immune system to see what mechanisms are involved in his body being able to handle large bursts of HIV activity. The idea is to re-awaken dormant HIV hiding in white blood cells so the boosted immune system can identify and destroy them, in a similar way to how an effective vaccine should work.

Such a theory has never been demonstrated in practice, but now the patient’s case, published in the Clinical Infectious Diseases journal, has shown it is possible.

Dr Ravi Gupta, of University College London, said: ‘The immune system can be as powerful as the most potent drug cocktails. This study takes us one step closer by showing us what type of immune responses an effective vaccine should induce.’

His colleague Professor Deenan Pillay, said: ‘By measuring the strength of the immune system required to keep this virus under control in this rare individual we have a better idea of the requirements for successful treatment.’

Dr Gupta that the results were ‘promising’, but unlikely to lead to a cure for at least a decade. Although antiretroviral treatment can suppress HIV and delay the onset of Aids for many years it cannot rid the body of the virus completely.

Daily Mail

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