October 2, 2009

New Technology Finds Meds That Might Flush Out Hidden HIV Reservoirs

Scientists have successfully devised a method to find drugs that can flush out the hidden HIV that evades antiretroviral (ARV) drugs and makes viral eradication impossible, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation and reported by Bloomberg News. So far, a compound called 5HN, which is derived from the black walnut tree, works best at coaxing out the latent reservoirs.

Researchers once hoped that ARV therapy would be potent enough to drive HIV to extinction, but they soon learned that the virus is able to survive by hiding out in resting CD4 cells. When people stop taking the drugs, the virus comes roaring back.

A number of attempts have been made to provoke these resting cells into activity and thus make the hidden virus accessible to ARVs, but all so far have failed.

Robert Siliciano, MD, PhD, from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and his colleagues now report they have developed a cell-based method for testing compounds that can activate resting CD4 cells. They’ve already tested 2.400 compounds and hope that the technology will ultimately lead to the successful development of an activating drug that, in combination with ARV therapy, will finally be able to eradicate HIV.

AIDSmeds will release an in-depth web exclusive in the coming weeks about this promising news.

NEW! Scroll down to comment on this story.

Previous Comments:

EMMA.UMENYI, LAGOS, 2009-11-01 13:32:40
IT IS A VERY GOOD NEWS,AND SHOULD BE FELLOWED UP URGENTLY FOR MANY PEOPLE ON ARV FOR A VERY LONG TIME WHERE DEVELOPING RESISTANT DUE TO NOT KEEPING TO THE TIME AND VERY FADE UP OF USE MED, FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

pablitomon, Newport Bech, CA, 2009-10-13 17:23:02
THIS IS THE MOST EXITING news I've heard in a long time. I think we ought to throw ALL our effort in this direction. We need a BIG campoaign to rally up support, donations and public awareness of this. What are we waiting for? Let's do this!

Marcos, São Paulo, 2009-10-06 23:04:15
There are mso any good news popping up around and lately that make us smile in hope. At least one of those must result in an effective path of cure soon...Don´t you think?

Steve, Morristown, 2009-10-06 16:49:07
Reminds me of Mel Brooks' 'High Anxiety,' when the bellhop lifts the doc's suitcase and says, "I got it, I got it... I ain't got it." Yet, as is the case here. But this IS very encouraging (as well as its obvious importance in completely eradicating the virus), and between this and the ongoing vaccine trials, there's good news for everyone for a change, whether they are positive or not. Please, sir, I'd like some more (good news, that is!)

Matt, San Diego, 2009-10-06 09:33:20
This article is interesting from a zoopharmacognostical perspective because chimpanzees used walnuts or nuts in the walnut family as tools. It will be interesting to see what happens.

Barry, , 2009-10-04 23:47:38
Does anyone have any early reports from UPenn HIV trial initiated in Feb 2009? clinicaltrials.gov identifier. NCT00842634. A second PH I trial has been approved by FDA. Sangamo Biosciences to run second trial. It seems like a long time for the first trial to not have some early results.