Katharina Buczek
Interestingly, though, the study led by Schmeltz aimed to specifically target these immune cells and tested the effects of two experimental medicines on patients who were recently diagnosed with HIV.
The study’s participants hailed from Denmark and the UK and were randomly placed into four groups.
First, every participant received the same standard antiretroviral treatment. Then, some participants were administered Romidepsin– a drug that would hopefully stop the virus from hiding within immune cells.
Additionally, other participants were given monoclonal antibodies– which were intended to eliminate HIV-infected immune cells and help strengthen the body’s overall immune system.
And according to Dr. Jesper Damsgaard Gunst, the study’s lead author, the results were very promising.
“Our study shows that newly diagnosed people with HIV who are given monoclonal antibodies together with their usual HIV medicine show a faster decrease in the amount of virus after the treatment starts and develop a better immunity against HIV,” Gunst began.
“And, their immune system can partially or completely suppress the virus if they are taking a break from their usual HIV medicine.”
This success has been attributed to the monoclonal antibodies’ ability to help the participants’ immune systems identify the infected cells and kill them. The antibodies also bind to the viruses in the lymph nodes, which allows certain immune cells to develop immunity against HIV.
So, in other words, these antibodies enable those infected with HIV to essentially control virus spread and defend themselves against HIV infection-induced harm.
While the researchers are extremely hopeful about this discovery, though, there is still much more research to be done before HIV is cured.
Primarily, the team needs to figure out how to optimize this treatment and rev up its effects.
