HIV breakthrough as new technology removes traces of virus from infected cells

19 March 2024 , 23:01

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Scientists eliminated HIV from cells using a gene-editing technique that won a Nobel prize in 2020 (Image: Getty Images/Cultura RF)

The discovery of how to snip HIV out of infected cells could one day lead to a cure for the Aids-causing virus, say researchers.

Scientists eliminated HIV from cells using a gene-editing technique that won a Nobel prize in 2020. The gene-cutting technology, Crispr-Cas, removed all traces of the virus from infected cells in lab tests. Working essentially as scissors, Crispr-Cas can cut the DNA at specific points, allowing unwanted genes to be deleted. New genetic material can also be introduced.

Study lead Dr Elena Herrera-Carrillo, of Amsterdam UMC, Netherlands, said: “These findings represent a pivotal advancement towards designing a cure strategy.” But researchers said the study, presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, represents proof of concept only, and will not become a cure for HIV any time soon.

Dr Jonathan Stoye, virus expert at the Francis Crick Institute, said: “The idea of a functional cure for Aids using Crispr-Cas technology... has enormous appeal. However, the challenge of removing HIV genomes from all the cells that make up the long-lived viral reservoirs in such people is extremely challenging.

"It therefore seems likely that many years will elapse before any such CRISPR-based therapy becomes routine, even assuming that it can be shown to be effective.”

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