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A virus has been created that tracks down HIV-infected cells
Last reviewed: 30.06.2025
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Professor Pin Wang from the University of Southern California (USA) and colleagues have created a virus that tracks down HIV- infected cells.
The developed lentiviral vector attaches to HIV-infected cells, weakening them through so-called suicide gene therapy. The cells, thus marked, are later easily destroyed by drugs (the same as a soldier who illuminates an object with a laser from the ground so that aircraft can carry out a precise strike).
Lentivirus carries out pinpoint attacks on HIV-infected cells without causing collateral damage, i.e. leaving untouched cells not affected by the human immunodeficiency virus. This cannot be achieved with drugs alone.
So far, the new lentiviral vector has only been tested on cell cultures in the laboratory, destroying about 35% of existing HIV-infected cells. The figure seems small, but according to the authors, its effectiveness can be significantly increased when using the method "on humans." By the way, in the next stage, the scientists intend to test the lentivirus on sick mice.
Mr. Ping Wang is confident that his work is a breakthrough, but it is too early to consider the proposed method as a treatment. “The research is at an early stage, but the work is being done in the right direction,” the scientist explains.
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