Researchers from Temple University, U.S., have developed a breakthrough technique that may change the course of treatment for HIV/AIDS.
The method uses the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing tool, which allowed to splice the HIV viral DNA out of the patient’s infected immune cells.
It scans the DNA of the immune cell until it finds the sequence of viral DNA. It then snips the DNA, removing the virus, and the two ends of human DNA connect back together. By the way, this process doesn’t harm the cell itself. After ‘editing’, the cell is still able to perform all of its regular functions and even can resist re-infection.
This form of gene editing is very attractive compared to current HIV treatments, which require a lifelong dependency on expensive medication.
“Antiretroviral drugs are very good at controlling HIV infection. But patients on antiretroviral therapy who stop taking the drugs suffer a rapid rebound in HIV replication,” principal investigator Kamel Khalili explained in a statement. So this study showed that removing HIV is theoretically possible. And these results gave scientists the confidence they need to forge ahead.