Tag: HIV/AIDS

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Promising new strategy for curing HIV – Radioimmunotherapy

Via press release from the Radiological Society of North America:

Researchers have used radioimmunotherapy (RIT) to destroy remaining human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected cells in the blood samples of patients treated with antiretroviral therapy, offering the promise of a strategy for curing HIV infection.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has transformed the outlook for patients infected with HIV by suppressing the replication of the virus in the body. However, despite the success of HAART in effectively reducing the burden of HIV, scientists believe reservoirs of latently infected cells persist in the body, preventing the possibility of a permanent cure.

In her study, Dr. Dadachova and a team of researchers administered RIT to blood samples from 15 HIV patients treated with HAART at the Einstein-Montefiore Center for AIDS Research.

RIT, which has historically been employed to treat cancer, uses monoclonal antibodies—cloned cells that are recruited by the immune system to identify and neutralize antigens. Antigens are foreign objects like bacteria and viruses that stimulate an immune response in the body. The antibody, designed to recognize and bind to a specific cell antigen, is paired with a radioactive isotope. When injected into the patient’s bloodstream, the laboratory-developed antibody travels to the target cell where the radiation is then delivered.

“In RIT, the antibodies bind to the infected cells and kill them by radiation,” Dr. Dadachova said. “When HAART and RIT are used together, they kill the virus and the infected cells, respectively.”

You can read the full report here.

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President Obama launches $100 million initiative to cure HIV

The Obama administration is shifting $100 million into research efforts aimed at curing HIV, President Obama announced Monday.

The initiative is aimed at developing “new therapies,” he said. “The United States should be at the forefront of the discoveries how to put HIV in long-term remission without requiring lifelong therapies. Or, better yet, eliminate it completely.”

Obama took an optimistic tone, pledging that the United States would “remain the global leader in the fight against HIV and AIDS” until the virus is eradicated.

“We will stand with you through every step of this journey until we reach the day possible when all men and women can protect themselves from infection, a day when all people with HIV infection have access to treatment to save their lives. The day when no babies born with HIV and AIDS and achieve what once was hard to imagine, an HIV-free generation. That’s the world I want for my daughters, that’s what we want for our families,” he said. “If we stay focused and honor the memories of those that we’ve lost, if we summon the same courage they displayed by insist ongoing whatever it takes however long it takes, I believe we’re going to win this fight. I’m confident that we’ll do so together.”

In a fact sheet published after the event, the White House clarified the $100 million would be distributed over the course of three years and would catalyze further research for new therapies to improve outcomes for people with HIV.

(source)

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Hunky, naked guys wrestle in Swedish ad to promote HIV testing – NSFW

This is an ad to promote HIV testing.

NSFW – From the clip description:

Eight men, smeared in differently flavoured Jelly, test their strength in nude wrestling. What flavour do you prefer? Time to get tested!

RFSL Göteborg (The Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights, Gothenburg branch) has produced this video to promote HIV testing for men who have sex with men. Read more at testa.wf

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Spain: New approach to stopping HIV replication found using computer synthesis

io9 is reporting that scientists at several Spanish universities and research centers, using computers to create a synthetic molecule, may have found a new approach to stopping the virus’ ability to replicate:

European researchers have used a computer to design small synthetic molecules capable of attacking the deadly AIDS virus where it hurts the most: its ability to produce the genetic material required for replication. It’s the first time in history this has ever been done.

[snip]

After designing the compound on the computer, the scientists synthesized the molecules in the lab. Then came the moment of truth: Testing the mixture on a real infected cell. And it worked, confirming the validity of the models generated by the computer.

The next step will be to improve the pharmacological properties of the new Rev inhibitors and work towards actual clinical applications. Encouragingly, the terphenyl structures identified in this research could open new ways to approach other therapeutic targets.

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Andy Bell: HIV testing “saved my life”

Erasure singer Andy Bell is speaking out in support of Britain’s National HIV Testing Week. 

Bell learned he was HIV positive in 1998.

“When I was tested for the second time and found out I was HIV positive, I thought my world was going to collapse and cave in but thankfully this test actually saved my life.

“The sooner you find out whether you are positive (or negative), the sooner you can start your combination therapy and get the virus under control and live your life normally.”

Erasure’s latest release is their very first Christmas CD “Snowglobe” available now.

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New guidelines suggested for HIV patients living longer, healthier lives

New guidlines are being suggested for patients with HIV due to living longer, more normal lives

With people infected with HIV living longer lives, the medical association that specializes in such diseases is encouraging adoption of new guidelines and more broad screenings for preventative care:

The Human Immunodeficiency Medicine Association of the Infectious Diseases Society of America updated its HIV care guidelines include recommendations for screening for diabetes, osteoporosis and colon cancer. The guidelines suggested patients with HIV infection should be vaccinated against pneumococcal infection, influenza, varicella and hepatitis A and B.

In addition to the screenings mentioned above, the association says HIV specialists need to provide a full spectrum of general care and general practitioners need to have a deeper grasp of HIV regarding routine healthcare.

They also recommend, with infections in check for a patient, that viral load testing could be done every 6-12 months instead of the current 3 month windows.

(source)

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PSA: “Knowing”

From the Youtube description:

From Impulse Group and The Advisorie, comes this artistic and educational short, a sexy portrayal of a couple taking the next step in their relationship, and the influence that knowledge, communication and compassion has on their deeper connection.

The short makes its online debut as a lead up to Impulse Group’s launch of it’s WHY NOT campaign. Why not know? Why not ask? Why not tell?

This short highlights the journey from a break-up to knowing one’s HIV status to communicating that status. And of course, love and compassion prevail.

Parker, played by Kyle Heinen, finds that love in his unlikely nerdy co-worker, Billy, played by Namir Nasir.

YouTube heartthrob, Eli Lieb of Los Angeles donated his haunting cover of Rihanna’s ‘Stay’ to the film. Download the music on iTunes.

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Matthew McConaughey intros behind-the-scenes of DALLAS BUYERS CLUB

Matthew McConaughey introduces an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at DALLAS BUYERS CLUB with co-stars Jennifer Garner and Jared Leto. 
The film is based on the inspirational, true-life story of Ron Woodroof, a man given thirty days to live who decided to fight both his illness and the government agency blocking his treatment:

A son of Texas, Ron Woodroof is an electrician and rodeo cowboy. In 1985, he is well into an unexamined existence with a devil-may-care lifestyle. Suddenly, Ron is blindsided by being diagnosed as H.I.V.-positive and given 30 days to live. Yet he will not, and does not, accept a death sentence.

In theatres November 1, 2013. 
For more info visit http://DallasBuyersClub.com.

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Mississippi: Toddler in full “remission” of HIV after aggressive treatment at birth

A toddler, now three years old, seems to be in full remission after being born HIV positive.

The results seem to come from immediate aggressive therapy upon birth, when it was discovered the child’s mother was HIV positive.

From Huffington Post:

Most HIV-infected moms in the U.S. get AIDS medicines during pregnancy, which greatly cuts the chances they will pass the virus to their babies. But the Mississippi mom got no prenatal care and her HIV was discovered during labor. Doctors considered the baby to be at such high risk that they started the child on three powerful medicines 30 hours after birth, rather than waiting for a test to confirm infection as is usually done.

Within a month, the baby’s virus fell to undetectable levels. She remained on treatment until she was 18 months old when doctors lost contact with her. Ten months later when she returned, they could find no sign of infection even though the mom had stopped giving the child AIDS medicines.

Doctors are wary of calling the child “cured” as they don’t really have a “definition” of what a cure looks like in reference to HIV, as opposed to some cancers where at the five year mark some patients are declared cured.

A new study will begin in January 2014 with HIV infected new-borns to see if the results can be replicated.

(source)

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British Columbia to begin using new, faster HIV test

The Vancouver Sun is reporting on a new HIV test that will be available starting on a limited basis in British Columbia that can detect HIV infection within one to two weeks, much earlier than standard tests:

“The test allows you to pick up infections very early, as soon as one to two weeks after a person is infected with HIV,” said study co-author Dr. Mark Gilbert, a physician epidemiologist, sexually transmitted infections, at the BCCDC.

“And we know that when people find out they’re HIV-positive, they take steps to ensure they don’t pass it on to others. So by letting people know they have HIV in the first two weeks after infection, at a time when they have the highest chance of passing on the virus, this means a great opportunity to reduce the spread of HIV.”

The HIV virus is often at peak levels right after initial infection as the human body begins to cope with the invading disease. That’s part of the reason why the possibility of transmission to others is high at that point in time. Early detection, as with all diseases is key to controlling the disease.

More at the Vancouver Sun.