October 5, 2009

Scientists Rebuild HIV Camouflage Mechanism in Vaccine Breakthrough

British scientists have re-created HIV’s so-called “camouflage jacket,” which enables the virus to shape-shift and avoid detection by the human immune system, Times Online reports. This research, led by Ben Davis, PhD, at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, could turn one of the virus’s greatest strengths against itself and help create an effective HIV vaccine.

According to the article, scientists hope they can teach the immune system to recognize and neutralize the virus in the body. Researchers would accomplish this by creating synthetic versions of the HIV camouflage jacket and injecting them in patients. Vaccines based on this approach are being tested in animal studies; human trials might begin in two years.

This research is the latest in a series of recent HIV vaccine breakthroughs. Last month in Thailand, a large-scale study of a two-part vaccine called RV 144 reduced the risk of HIV transmission by almost a third. Another study last month identified two new antibodies that neutralize many strains of the virus. 

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Cyrille, Brooklyn, 2009-10-16 13:31:56
Will this vaccine change AIDS education and awareness. How will this change your sexual practices and behavior??? AIDS doc addresses similar issues at theuntoldwar.com

CureNow, San Diego, CA, 2009-10-06 17:23:43
My heart is pounding, my hopes are so high. This seems to be great advance in science. I truly hope for the sake of humanity, please let this be the cure. There are desperate people out here looking for a miracle including myself. This hopefully will help the people already living with HIV/AIDS as well as those who might be on track to contract it someday. Maybe this possible cure will help to de-criminalize HIV/AIDS and we can stop the prosecutions and stigma associated with HIV/AIDS.

LuvLeigh, Sumter,SC, 2009-10-06 16:33:38
Finally a glimpse of hope for us. I sometimes think of the days that were wasted on my long march to deaths' door. It would be a victorious day for us all, when the virus without the host is lead to the threshold of extinction. I pray to witness that day.

ready4dacure, NYC, 2009-10-06 11:03:54
I'm so hoping once & for all the vacine will finally come to get rid of this dis-ease!! My quality of life is so non-existent at this point. I'm so ready to get out there and start living once again, not just existing.

ready4dacure, NYC, 2009-10-06 11:01:14
I'm so hoping once & for all the vacine will finally come to get rid of this dis-ease!! My quality of life is so non-existent at this point. I'm so ready to get out there and start living once again, not just existing.