On the TRAIL of a cure
Scientists are daring to breathe the word 'cure' in connection with
a new substance that seeks out dormant HIV-containing cells - and eliminates
them.
A naturally-occurring substance, the TRAIL protein, has been shown in
test-tube studies to seek out infected cells and destroy them.
When scientists took blood from seven HIV positive patients and added
TRAIL to it in the test tube, the protein eliminated HIV-infected cells
in four out of the seven, and left healthy cells intact.
"TRAIL appears to selectively kill the reservoir of HIV", said
investigator Dr Andrew Badley. "I hope we may be able to take it
to human trials in 12-24 months."
A cure, he added, "Is theoretical. But I don't want to create false
hopes."
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