New vaccine will help protect against HIV
Last reviewed: 22.10.2021
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Scientists were able to develop an injection, which will help to protect against infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) for three months. During the tests of the new experimental preparation, the specialists established that when administered to monkeys, it protected against secondary infection with a modified virus. However, at this stage, the effectiveness of the drug has not yet been confirmed in humans.
For their research, scientists took eight macaques and made each two injections of 744LA (a new drug). The field of this for a week scientists tried to infect macaques, but all their attempts failed. The principle of the action of injections is similar to modern anti-HIV drugs, which are taken twice a day. However, for many people in the high-risk group (not infected with HIV, but are highly likely to develop infection), it is difficult to follow the regimen, and the new drug helps to eliminate these kinds of problems because it has a long-lasting effect. In the immediate plans of scientists preparing for testing on humans. Soon, the second phase of the 744LA study in the United States is planned. Scientists intend to get more information, including safety issues of the drug for the next year. Negotiations are currently under way on how to proceed with clinical trials. It is planned to check the protective efficacy of the drug in the world, especially in countries where there is a high rate of HIV infection, in particular in China among men who are homosexual.
According to experts, a single injection of 744LA will help protect a person from getting AIDS, while the vaccine works in the human body for 3-4 months, after which a repeated injection of the drug will be required. Experts believe that the introduction of the drug once a quarter will help prevent infection with the virus.
A virologist at a California university who did not participate in the research project believes that this discovery will help change the notion of HIV prevention. However, some experts question this research, for example, the doctor of the children's hospital Philip Johnson believes that during the life of a person should make several injections, in addition, he doubts the long-term prospect of this drug.
Also, scientists note that vaccines that will help protect against HIV will only appear in the distant future, but now a new approach to HIV prevention can be used as an intermediate protection.
In addition, recent studies by South African scientists have shown how the evolution of antibodies that destroy various strains of HIV occurs. This work can contribute to the development of the vaccine. In the course of their research, specialists studied the body's response to HIV on a blood sample and as a result isolated antibodies produced by the body. As we managed to find out, the human body reacts to HIV with the formation of antibodies, but not everyone can penetrate the protective barrier of strains of the virus and completely destroy them. Such antibodies scientists managed to clone and in the future it is planned to conduct clinical trials on monkeys.