Scientists at Amsterdam UMC have made a groundbreaking discovery in the fight against HIV, successfully using gene-editing technology to zap the virus out of infected cells. The team utilized CRISPR-Cas, a Nobel Prize-winning gene-editing tool, to completely eliminate all traces of the virus from cells in the laboratory.
The researchers focused on targeting parts of the virus that remain consistent across all known HIV strains, with the goal of developing a broad-spectrum therapy capable of fighting different variants. While the findings are promising, further research is required before this zapping technique can be implemented.
The team’s next objective is to optimize the delivery route to effectively target the majority of HIV reservoir cells while avoiding uninfected cells. It is important to note that even with this groundbreaking technology, long-term treatment for HIV will still involve the use of potent antiviral drugs.
HIV is a resilient infection that can rebound from established reservoirs when treatment is discontinued, leading to lifelong health issues and even death. Since the start of the HIV epidemic in 1981, over 40 million deaths have been attributed to the virus worldwide. However, advancements in treatment have significantly reduced the death toll in recent decades.
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