Recent medical breakthroughs in the fight against HIV/AIDS

US researchers have discovered two powerful antibodies that neutralize more than 90% of all known strains of the HIV virus in the lab. This finding could lead to the production of new HIV treatments and/or a vaccine.

Who is doing the research?
A National Institute of Health led team of virologists.

When was it discovered?
The research was published in the July 8 online issue of the journal Science.

Why is this groundbreaking?
Refined molecular tools were able to pinpoint a vulnerable spot on the HIV virus. One of the most difficult aspects of HIV vaccine research is the ability of the virus to rapidly mutate. The weak spot that has been identified occurs in a position on the virus that doesn’t mutate as much.

Three antibodies have been identified that are able to bind to the virus at this weak spot, or “site of vulnerability”. These antibodies currently appear in approximately 10% of all people currently living with HIV. The antibodies were able to neutralize more than 90% of known strains of HIV virus in the lab.

Researchers will be conducting further tests on the antibodies. One stream of testing will focus on using the antibodies as a possible treatment for people living with HIV. Some research into the efficacy of the antibodies in a microbicide as a preventative measure against HIV will be explored.

Testing will also explore the possibility of creating an HIV vaccine. Similar to the way the polio vaccine was created, researchers will seek a way to prompt the human body into creating the antibodies that could effectively fight off the HIV virus.

How long until treatment is available?
The researchers will make no firm predictions as to how long it will be until new HIV treatments and/or a vaccine may be available based on the results of this research.

For more on this study:
Rational Design of Envelope Identifies Broadly Neutralizing Human Monoclonal Antibodies to HIV-1 - Science
Antibody finding may help in quest for AIDS vaccine – The Calgary Herald
Advance in quest for HIV vaccine – The Wall Street Journal