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HIV researchers cure AIDS possible?
Schrittwiese destruction of the immune system
The so-called "Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome" (AIDS) is an infectious disease that is triggered by the HI virus (Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV). The disease causes a gradual destruction of the immune system, causing the sufferers often suffer from serious infectious diseases such as tuberculosis or repeated pneumonia. In addition, there is an increased risk of malignant diseases such. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or cervical cancer. AIDS or an infection with the HI virus are today thanks to medical development usually easy to treat - but curable, the disease is not yet. The reason for this is that inactive viruses can survive the therapy in so-called "reservoirs" for years and can multiply again after the discontinuation of the drugs. These reservoirs are therefore the most important problem on the way to curing the disease.
DNA scissors. Image: © vege - fotolia Gene scissors cut HI virus out of the genetic material
But now there is a new hope in the fight against AIDS. For a research team led by Joachim Hauber of the Hamburg Heinrich Pette Institute and Frank Buchholz of the Technical University of Dresden, a medical sensation has apparently succeeded. As the scientists report in the journal "Nature Biotechnology", they were able to develop a new therapeutic approach, which could possibly complement the current treatment methods in just a few years. The team developed the enzyme Brec1 recombinase, which can identify and "cut out" HIV genetic material in human cells. This approach could be considered in principle for more than 28 million patients, the researchers write.
"Only a complete removal of the HIV provirus from the genome of the patients can lead to a complete cure of the infection. Our development of Brec1 recombinase is able to remove almost all previously known clinically relevant HI viruses without recognizable side effects from infected human cells, "says Prof. Joachim Hauber, according to a statement from the Heinrich Pette Institute.
New therapy approach requires a lot of patience
"This research is already auspicious," said Armin Schafberger, medicine consultant of the German AIDS Aid, in an interview with the news agency "dpa". Since the enzyme should soon be tested on humans, but ask the question "Who is there? You need people who are also willing to take risks for research, "adds Schafberger. After all, interventions in the genetic material always carry the risk of developing cancer in the medium or long term. In addition, the therapy requires a lot of patience: "If it succeeds, that does not mean that the patients no longer have HIV. It takes a long breath, "the expert continues.
Mice testing offers limited research opportunities
The scientists used gene cleavage on so-called "CD4 cells" of the immune system and were unable to detect any cell damage in experiments with human cells and mice that had previously been implanted with human cells ("humanized mice"). "You can show that in the mice, the HI virus is removed from the genome again," said co-author Hauber to the "dpa". As a result, the pathogen is indeed no longer detectable in the blood of the animals, but still present in the tissue in a small extent - an effect that is achieved in a similar way by the currently common therapies. To test the newly developed enzyme more precisely and to be able to demonstrate a complete cure, the mouse experiment is, however, only limited suitable, so Hauber.
Therefore, a first clinical study is planned in Hamburg, in which the safety of the new approach to a few HIV patients should be checked. Although this has not yet been approved, the cornerstones would have been agreed with the responsible Paul Ehrlich Institute in Langen, explains Hauber. Parallel to the financing now stands the production of "means of transport" for the transfer of genes ("gene ferry"), which costs several million euros and could take up to one and a half years. If everything goes according to plan, the first treatments with the new method could be carried out in about two years, according to the expert from the Hamburg Heinrich Pette Institute. "But nothing should go wrong."
Scientists warn against exaggerated hope
"This is still basic research, but it was preclinically tested on the best available models," said the comment of Prof. Boris Fehse of the University Hospital Eppendorf in Hamburg. For the CD4 cells of the immune system used are not the only one, "but the main target of the AIDS pathogen," said the expert, who was not involved in the study itself. Clinical trials with those affected could therefore take five to ten years - if nothing comes up. The new method could be a new "weapon" in the fight against AIDS, but according to Hauber and his team, the hopes should not be set too high. "Even advanced treatment combinations may not reach every infected cell reservoir," the researchers said. (No)