A fundamentally new HIV vaccine can give people hope
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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The principle of action of all modern vaccines is aimed at preparing the human immune system for meeting with viruses or infection. In California, experts from the Scripps University decided to change tactics in the development of the vaccine against HIV and changed the DNA of monkeys to make cells more resistant to the human immunodeficiency virus. In the study group, they note that their work is an important achievement and in the near future specialists hope to conduct tests with the participation of volunteers. According to independent experts, it is possible to expect rather good results from such an experiment.
In their work, the research team used a gene therapy method, based on the implantation of new DNA into healthy cells. The DNA includes a kind of "instruction", which directs the body to the development of factors for the destruction of the immunodeficiency virus. Such factors in the future will constantly flow into the bloodstream of a person.
As indicated in the report, experiments on monkeys showed good results - all primates were fully protected from all types of immunodeficiency virus for eight months.
According to experts, protection works even if the level of the virus in the blood is very high, i.e. The vaccine will be able to help people who are already carriers of a dangerous virus.
Presumably, the new vaccine will help in the treatment of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
The head of the research project, Michael Ferzen, said that his team's method of creating a vaccine against HIV is the most effective today, but to make a final conclusion it will be necessary to conduct a number of studies, including experiments on humans, to confirm their safety.
The vaccine against HIV is difficult to develop, because a constant mutation of the virus takes place. The same reason does not allow to "force" the immune system to produce a certain type of antibodies.
But a new way to produce a vaccine may well provide good protection. The principle of the new method is that due to the new DNA, the body constantly produces artificial cells that will destroy the virus of immunodeficiency. But now specialists can not say how the body will react to such interference in its work.
Now the team of researchers is trying to get permission to conduct an experiment involving HIV-infected patients, who for various reasons can not undergo standard treatment.
Complex reception scheme, expensive drugs, a huge number of side effects are the main disadvantages of modern HIV therapy, which allows to slow the development of the disease. It is for this reason that experts are in favor of conducting an experiment involving people.
The authors of the new methodology are proud of the fact that they managed to approach the solution of the HIV problem - one of the most urgent for today. The developers suggest that in the near future there will be a drug that will prevent infection with the immunodeficiency virus, and in already infected patients will lead to a stable remission.
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