Week 8 - An HIV-Free World
Last week I wrote about a breakthrough in gene therapy that allowed scientists to assess the presence of the proteins they were trying to implement by bonding them with something known as green fluorescent protein (GFP).
The initial announcement came last March after Castillejo had undergone stem cell replacement therapy to combat lymphoma developed in his immuno-compromised state. Similarly to how scientists outsourced FIV-resistant monkey genes, they found some human donors with a rare mutation of the CCR5 receptor that prohibits HIV from taking hold in cells. Gene replacement is not a standard procedure for the majority of people living with HIV; current health guidelines suggest regular prescriptions that are able to lessen the amount of HIV cells present in the body. The aim is to reduce the patient's viral load until it is undetectable. Check out the handy fact in the image below:
Scientists have been hesitant to claim that stem cell treatments can cure HIV. Currently, close to 40 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with the virus. Researchers have had to overcome an unfathomable amount of stigma in finding a cure for HIV. These are some of the reasons why they chose the phrase "in remission." The last reason is that Castillejo's body seems to have a memory of being infected with HIV. Although tests show that over 99% of the cells in his body have copied the healthy donor cells, there are remnants of the virus that may increase its likelihood of reappearing in the future. Castillejo revealed his identity earlier this week along with the fact that he has been off of HIV medication for two and a half years now. He wants to be an "ambassador of hope" and work to make effective treatments more widely available.
"In cats specifically, GFP is being used to study treatment methods for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV): a lentivirus similar to HIV-1 and HIV-2 found in humans."Although scientists were unable to guarantee that the added gene can prevent FIV 100% of the time, the cats in the treatment have a significantly higher resistance to the virus than their control counterparts. I mentioned offhandedly that this strategy could be used to help create an HIV-free world. Earlier this week, I found some news that indicates that future is closer than I imagined. Adam Castillejo, formerly known as the London Patient, publicly revealed his identity as the world's second person to be cured of HIV.
The initial announcement came last March after Castillejo had undergone stem cell replacement therapy to combat lymphoma developed in his immuno-compromised state. Similarly to how scientists outsourced FIV-resistant monkey genes, they found some human donors with a rare mutation of the CCR5 receptor that prohibits HIV from taking hold in cells. Gene replacement is not a standard procedure for the majority of people living with HIV; current health guidelines suggest regular prescriptions that are able to lessen the amount of HIV cells present in the body. The aim is to reduce the patient's viral load until it is undetectable. Check out the handy fact in the image below:
After Castillejo's stem cell transplant, he spent a year in the hospital. Once he was released, he could do little more than walk around. Nonetheless, his cancer was in remission and his doctors told him of the incredible possibility that his HIV could be in remission as well. He stopped taking his HIV medication, and just over a year and a half later his doctors confidently announced to the world that the London Patient was the second person in history to have HIV in remission.
Scientists have been hesitant to claim that stem cell treatments can cure HIV. Currently, close to 40 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with the virus. Researchers have had to overcome an unfathomable amount of stigma in finding a cure for HIV. These are some of the reasons why they chose the phrase "in remission." The last reason is that Castillejo's body seems to have a memory of being infected with HIV. Although tests show that over 99% of the cells in his body have copied the healthy donor cells, there are remnants of the virus that may increase its likelihood of reappearing in the future. Castillejo revealed his identity earlier this week along with the fact that he has been off of HIV medication for two and a half years now. He wants to be an "ambassador of hope" and work to make effective treatments more widely available.
This is such a cool article. I know it's a bit old but this story has the possibility to change the world. I understand that scientists are hesitant to say that it's a cure but it's still an incredible treatment that if we can figure out how to make easier and more readily available, we can literally help millions. The AIDS Crisis was not so long ago that we cannot forget it or not be worried about it. I hope that moving away from the stigma will also make things better. Either way this paints the potential for a really bright future!
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