June 5, 2009

New Hope for HIV Eradication

Researchers may finally be on track to get at the HIV that hides inside cells and keeps the infection going; if so, they could perhaps eradicate the virus from the body entirely, according to an article published in the July issue of Retrovirology. The latest research expands on the mixed results of earlier studies of valproic acid (Depakote), an epilepsy treatment that demonstrated potential as a method of purging HIV from its cellular hiding places.  

After protease inhibitors were approved, researchers hoped that the new combination antiretroviral (ARV) therapy would be potent enough to burn out HIV infection over time. It soon became apparent, however, that no matter how strong the drugs are and how long a person’s virus levels remain undetectable, HIV can still hide out inside dormant cells and bring the infection flaring back to life once ARV meds are stopped. Therapies initially studied to reawaken these cells succeeded in forcing them to purge their HIV payload, but the therapies caused too much immune system inflammation. In other words, while they “turned on” the dormant cells, they also created so many susceptible uninfected CD4 cells that the ARV drugs couldn’t protect them.  

What was needed, researchers argued, was a drug that could force out the HIV hiding within these cells without activating immune system cells at the same time. One such approach that has gained a lot of attention in recent years is the inhibition of histone deacetylase (HDAC), an enzyme believed to play a key role in maintaining HIV inside long-lived resting cells.

An early experiment with the HDAC inhibitor valproic acid proved promising. But another round of studies, reported a few years later in 2005, failed to show that valproic acid significantly affected the recalcitrant reservoirs of HIV-infected cells.

Four years later, Andrea Savarino, MD, PhD, from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità in Rome, and his colleagues have published the results of a study looking at a different HDAC inhibitor—entinostat (MS-275), currently being explored as an anti-cancer drug. Savarino’s group was able to awaken dormant cells, gain access to the hidden virus and kill it; however, they had to use doses of MS-275 that may be toxic to humans.

The researchers then tried using lower doses of entinostat in combination with buthionine sulfoximine, an experimental cancer drug that strips unhealthy cells of glutathione, a protective antioxidant. This approach was much more successful, allowing researchers to get at all of the hidden HIV without producing toxic effects. The authors plan to take their research next into animal models, and they remain hopeful about the potential for HIV eradication.

Search: HIV eradication, valproic acid, Depakote, HIV latency, dormant cells, histone deacetylase, HDAC, entinostat, MS-275, buthionine sulfoximine, Andrea Savarino

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Previous Comments:

FREDERICK WRIGHT, TAMPA, 2009-10-14 15:58:01
I AM HAPPY TO HEAR THE WORD CURE BEING USED FOR A GOAL WITHIN AIDS, AND TO INSURE THE FOLKS IN THE RX COMPANIES AND PEOPLE WORKING IN THE AIDS INDUSRTRIES OR AIDS INC IN AMERICA THAT IT IS OK TO USE THE WORD CURE AND THAT OTHER JOBS WILL COME AROUND IF A CURE FOR AIDS IS UNVIELED. I HOPE MORE HIV/AIDS ADVOCATES WILL GET ON THE CURE FOR AIDS ADGENDA.

jitendra shinde, india (nashik), 2009-10-10 10:47:49
research work what i red here is really very promissing. and will give atleast a hope for people. i am a biotech students and want to do work on hiv.

Barry, , 2009-10-04 23:55:40
Is anyone familiar with the PH I HIV trial that is underway at UPenn? SB-728. makes the system immune to HIV. Like the German patient that was treated in Germany over 2 years ago, by infusing with GM CCR5 delta 32 gene. Same as those people that are naturally immiune to HIV. There should be early report from UPenn in Dec, if not sooner. A second PH I trial has been approved by FDA, Sangamo Biosciences will run the trial. watching waiting

Dan, , 2009-09-09 17:33:53
Finally I believe I have seen some hope having been a guinea for some drigs in the past. To feel whole again would be a miracle in itself. Praise the Lord !

Arthur Gittleman, Bella Vista Ar, 2009-09-05 10:59:50
I work on FIV and my concern it not curing the disease but undoing the first few days damage to the immune system. I may be able to get rid of the virus but the immune system damage is a problem. So I will be looking at this problem as already I have noted how to turn FIV positive to negative. Besides the treatment for FIV is nothing more than some untoxic herbs and supplements as HIV drugs are a poor treatment. Only bother is giving it each day to a feline but comes with eating

Jay, Atlanta, 2009-08-19 16:22:44
I love the thought that someday there will be a cure for HIV, but am inclined to believe pharmaceutical companies would invest billions in ensuring that it is not found in my or your lifetime. Perhaps they will devise a vaccine instead... let the rest of us suffer and pay for it. But I no more believe these companies will commit corporate suicide than I do in the easter bunny delivering my Atripla in a colored egg.

Steven, Irvine, 2009-08-18 14:43:35
Although it will take some time to further the tests and results to find a cure, It's puts a huge smile on my face to think that one day in the future, we all might have a chance to purge this curse from our bodies, and once again join the norms of society

MARK, , 2009-08-17 17:50:34
now THATS exciting news

John, Seattle, 2009-08-04 12:34:53
After reading the full text version of the article online at Retrovirology.com, it was encouraging to read that the two drugs used in their research model "have passed class I clinical trials for safety in humans and are therefore ready for testing in animal models." While you never want to become too hopeful about any experimental treatment that's still in its infancy, it is encouraging to think that one day we might be able to eradicate this virus from our bodies.

tenzin, INDIA, 2009-08-04 00:46:13
Thank you for your research Pls help me and my family, Pls bring out the result soon

Tim, Mobile, 2009-08-03 02:07:16
Even though the technical jargon was over my head, reading that made me, well I guess you could say emotional. I pray it's not just false promise, false hope. Thank you.

Poz black girl, London, UK, 2009-07-25 04:15:32
Gosh this has just made my day...now all I have to do is stay happy and alife and await the day. There has been so many negative reports that this is a ray of sunlight so bright I am almost blinded by it...

Eddie Zondie, South Africa, 2009-07-18 19:14:27
Makes me wanna Cry i get so happy when i read this, but i hope its not just false hope - experiments like this could take many more years....

matthews, Caribbean, 2009-07-07 20:05:22
Very encouraging article.This points to the light at the end of the tunnel.I'm enlighted with the progress and prayers and hopes to all those scientists..researchers..Good endeavour and keep us all updated with progress..I have hoped and prayed tremendously.

Henry, NYC, 2009-07-05 15:48:35
One of the researchers of this study, Andreas Savarino, recently wrote in to Dr. Joel Gallant's site (Johns Hopkins HIV Guide, Question titles "Italian Study"), proposing they put together a small study of 8 to 10 individuals that this could be tested on. Gallant gallantly declined but let's hope this moves forward.