A team of researchers from the University of Amsterdam said they have successfully eliminated HIV from infected cells with the aid of Nobel Prize-winning Crispr gene-editing technology.
The Crispr gene-editing technology works like a scissor but at a molecular level. It cuts the DNA so the “bad” part can be removed or inactivated, according to a report by the BBC.
The scientists hope they will ultimately be able to rid the body entirely of the virus but highlighted that more work is needed to ensure safety and effectiveness. The medicines used to treat HIV patients stop the virus but do not eliminate it.
The University of Amsterdam presented the synopsis this week at a medical conference of their early findings. They clearly outlined that their work remains merely “proof of concept” and will not become a cure for HIV any time soon.
“Much more work will be needed to demonstrate results in these cell assays can happen in an entire body for a future therapy. There will be much more development needed before this could have an impact on those with HIV,” Dr James Dixon, stem-cell and gene-therapy technologies associate professor at the University of Nottingham was quoted as saying by news agency BBC.
Several scientists are trying to use Crispr against HIV. Excision BioTherapeutics told the BBC that three volunteers with HIV have no serious side effects.
Dr. Jonathan Stoye, a virus expert at the Francis Crick Institute in London, stated that eliminating HIV from all potential host cells in the body posed significant challenges, while speaking to the UK broadcaster.
He expressed concerns about the potential off-target effects of the treatment, along with possible long-term side effects. He also pointed out that achieving Crispr-based therapy for HIV would likely take many years before becoming routine, even if proven effective.
HIV attacks immune cells and replicates using their machinery, even with treatment, some cells remain in a latent state, containing HIV DNA.
Most individuals diagnosed with HIV require lifelong antiretroviral therapy to manage the virus. Discontinuing these medications can lead to reactivation of the dormant virus and resurgence of the health issues associated with the disease.
While there have been rare cases where individuals were seemingly “cured” after undergoing intensive cancer therapy that inadvertently targeted some HIV-infected cells, such an approach would never be advised solely for HIV treatment.
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