HIV AIDS Cure 2017: Kumamoto University Develops New Potential Cure for the Virus
Researchers at Kumamoto University in Japan have discovered a new compound that effectively eliminates the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
According to Medical Express, Kumamoto University researchers have created a new approach they termed as "Lock-in and apoptosis." This approach centers on the involvement of the L-HIPPO compound, which they have developed to successfully eradicate the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) virus.
The L-HIPPO compound strongly attaches to the HIV infected cells and prevents viral budding or releasing of the virus to other cells, leaving it isolated in the host cells. Once the virus is contained in the host cell, it dies naturally through apoptosis or the spontaneous death of a cell.
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The "Lock-in and apoptosis" approach is now anticipated to be the future of HIV-AIDS treatment. However, this method is not yet readily available for HIV patients.
According to Mikako Fujita, associate professor of Kumamoto University and one of the pioneers of the study, they still have a lot to improve with the "Lock-in and apoptosis" method.
"First, we have to improve upon the drugs that activate the virus and combine them with L-HIPPO to efficiently target the viral reservoir. This would be a big step towards a complete recovery from HIV. We believe that our research will help to completely eradicate AIDS," Fujita explained.
Before the "Lock-in and apoptosis" approach, there was the "Kick and kill."
The "Kick and kill" method is administered with the use of a drug that targets HIV reservoir cells. After the reservoir cells have been killed, the virus will be activated later on so the immune system can find them and terminate them. However, this method has not been successful in deactivating the virus once it has been activated.
Meanwhile, WDEL reports that a possible cut to the federal budget could slow down the process of finding the cure for HIV and AIDS. This is according to Dr. William Frishman.
However, the budget cuts have yet to be confirmed.
