A newfound cure to HIV is on the works, as three strains of antibodies can make the virus run out of options and die. The antibody combination was successful in mice, and pretty soon it could be used as a valid cure for HIV in humans.
Normally, HIV treatments fail because of the virus' ability to escape the immune system responses. At a certain point, the infection could lead to AIDS, a worst-case scenario in which the body is unable to suppress the virus beyond its ability. When AIDS starts to affect the person, it could lead to more deadly infections attacking the body - which could end up to eventual death.
A group of researchers from Rockfeller University discovered that combination of three strains of antibodies - BG18, NC37, and BG1 - gives a brilliant solution for HIV. Published in Science Translational Medicine, the study was initially tested on mice, ScienceMag reports.
There is a group of patients called elite controllers, in which these few individuals have these three types of antibodies. The antibodies does not "kill" the virus, but rather "controls" it.
According to Natalia Freund, author of the study, viruses escape the antibodies through mutation and growing. As the body produce new neutralizing antibodies, the virus evades once again. But after several cat and mouse chases between the antibodies and viruses, the virus runs out of options.
The mice infected with HIV was given the combination of three antibodies. After three weeks, test results prove that 66 percent of the mice was cured. The significant numbers make it possible to cure HIV on humans as well.
On a separate study, it is also possible to control HIV infection by blocking type 1 interferon. According to a study published in Journal of Clinical Investigation, when antibodies that blocked type 1 interferons were given to HIV-infected mice, it helped them restore their immunity, SpecialPharmacyTimes reports.
