Advancements in AIDS Research: A Potential Advancement in the Attempt to Cure HIV Infection

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Gene Therapies
Maturation Inhibitors
Antisense Drugs
Integrase Inhibitors
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Ever since the first case diagnosed in the United States in 1981 on the West Coast scientist and researchers have been working to find a permanent and inexpensive treatment for people suffering from HIV/AIDS. There has been great progress in finding a cure for HIV/AIDS but unfortunately, it remains manageable but incurable. (Jeffrey, 2006) Researchers, working in Germany, lately claimed a potential advancement in the attempt to cure HIV infection. The most current issue of the journal Science reported that researchers working with an enzyme were able to eliminate HIV’s genetic material from host cells. While this is beginning research, if confirmed by further study it might be an important landmark in the battle to cure HIV/AIDS. (Bauer, 2007).

Current HIV drugs aim either viral enzyme which is naturally vital proteins or holds up with HIV’s access to a cell. This approach has been extraordinarily doing well at managing HIV disease and radically reducing both illness and HIV-associated deaths. The critical limitation of this approach lies in HIV’s combination of its genetic code into a cell’s genes. When this takes place in a cell that is at a latent state, it permits HIV to escape these drugs, which only work in cells that are vigorous and manufacturing new copies of HIV. (Nathanson, 2007) Since the latent cells have a longer life and occur to be an invulnerable reservoir of infectious virus, efforts to clear the body of HIV called suppression have been ineffective.

Much more study and improvement are needed to turn this breakthrough into efficient treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS. One of the key obstacles will be to find a harmless and efficient way to establish the enzyme into resting cells. After that, it will be necessary to design identical enzymes which will target the other parts of the HIV/AIDS genome. This might take more than ten years to turn into generally accessible treatment. However, this study may lead to the vital goal of curing HIV/AIDS infection.

Gene Therapies

Several treatments are being developed to obstruct genes used by HIV/AIDS. One of them, mifepristone, also known as RU486 produced by Viral Genomix, interferes with the viral protein vpr. It is in a Phase I/II trial.

Maturation Inhibitors

A new type of drug slows down the expansion of HIV’s internal arrangement in a new virus. The bevirimat (PA457) by Panacos Pharmaceuticals is the first maturation inhibitor. (Strauss, 2007) It is at present in Phase II trials. The early outcome shows strong antiretroviral action. Side effects are serene. PA457 will most likely be a once-a-day drug.

Antisense Drugs

VIRxSYS is also working on a gene treatment product, VRX496, which is in a Phase II trial. The VIRxSYS engages in altering a patient’s CD4 cells with an “antisense” cause and then reintroduced to the person with HIV.

Integrase Inhibitors

After HIV’s genetic code is altered from a single thread to a double-strand by the reverse transcriptase enzyme, it gets included in the genetic code of the infected cell. Then the HIV genetic code gets “read,” fabricating new viruses. Scientists hope that combination will be an additional point in the HIV life cycle which can be treated with medicines. (Levy, 2007).

Raltegravir (Isentress, MK-0518) by Merck is being studied in Phase III trials. It is accessible through a prolonged access program. An FDA assessment on approval of raltegravir is anticipated in mid-October 2007. (Duesberg, 2007).

Elvitegravir (also known as Gilead 9137 and JTK-303) has concluded a phase II study. The drug is used with ritonavir. It is eradicated almost completely via the feces so no dose regulation is required for patients with kidney problems.

Conclusion

While many researchers are doubtful about any possibility of curing HIV/AIDS, Project Inform remains tightly devoted to finding a cure for HIV. Since the last decade, HIV/AIDS has transformed from an almost unanimously incurable disease to a somewhat persistently manageable disease that has been in enormous development. But this development is not enough scientists and researchers need to find a long-lasting solution. Life-long and managed treatments are not a solution. It is too costly and inaccessible to everyone. Research and development in the treatment of HIV/AIDS is the only hope for people suffering from this disease.

References

Bauer, Henry H. (2007) The Origin, Persistence, and Failings of HIV/AIDS Theory. McFarland & Company.

Duesberg, Peter (2007) Inventing the AIDS Virus. Regnery Publishing, Inc.

Jeffrey Beal & Joanne Orrick, (2006) HIV/AIDS Primary Care Guide. Crown House Publishing.

Levy, Jay A. (2007) HIV and the Pathogenesis of AIDS ASM Press.

Nathanson, Neal (2007) Viral Pathogenesis and Immunity Second Edition. Academic Press.

Strauss, James H. (2007) Viruses and Human Disease, Second Edition. Academic Press.

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