Emory University: Cancer medication helps reduce SIV reservoir, increases hope for HIV cure

Back to the "HIV and Co-Infections News" list

Emory University news release

Emory University researchers have provided the first proof-of-concept in a nonhuman primate model for eliminating HIV-infected cells with venetoclax, a clinically approved medication for cancer. Venetoclax effectively targets and blocks Bcl-2, a protein that not only regulates whether cells live or die but also promotes the survival of cancer cells. Similarly, Bcl-2 is a culprit in sustaining HIV cell reservoirs. The research team determined venetoclax is also effective at reducing simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) reservoir levels in vivo when given as part of a combination treatment for HIV.

The study results are reported in Nature Microbiology, and two clinical trials are under way to test venetoclax in people living with HIV.

Read the full news release here.

 

Source : EurekAlert!

Get involved

Are you living with HIV/AIDS? Are you part of a community affected by HIV/AIDS and co-infections? Do you work or volunteer in the field? Are you motivated by our cause and interested to support our work?

Subscribe

Stay in the loop and get all the important EATG updates in your inbox with the EATG newsletter. The HIV & co-infections bulletin is your source of handpicked news from the field arriving regularly to your inbox.