HIV Cure in human trials

Danish researchers at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark claim to have made a breakthrough in potentially curing HIV. The method involves releasing the HIV virus from the reservoirs which the virus is attached to in the DNA cells. Once released from the reservoirs the HIV virus would then be brought to the surface of the cells where the bodies’ natural immune system would then destroy it.

The method used to do this includes using HDAC inhibitors, reportedly Panobinostat. The  inhibitor is commonly used in cancer treatments. The HDAC inhibitor removes the virus from the patient’s DNA the goal is for the immune system to then naturally target and destroy the virus.

Based on previously successful lab results, 15 patients are now undergoing testing. If all goes well additional patients will be brought in for testing.  At the same time additional tests are being conducted in Britain, The USA and Europe.  Researchers are confident the HIV virus will release from the reservoirs, but the remaining variable is if the immune system realizes it is a virus and destroys it. This can also vary from person to person based on the strength of their immune system.

 Scientists typically didn’t think a true cure to HIV was possible until 2007 when the case known as “The Berlin Patient”  occurred. This was the first case of a person being curred when Timothy Ray brown was given a bone marrow transplant from a donor who has a rare genetic mutation with natural cell resistance to the HIV virus. 

Good luck to the scientists at Aarhus University Hospital and all of the brave patients trying this new method.