Researchers at the University of California, led by Joseph Anderson, have developed a new method of combating HIV. The therapy is thought to be a complete cure for people with not only HIV, but people with AIDS as well. The treatment works by injecting stem cells that have been modified to contain a trio of genes that are resistant to HIV into the patient. The new stem cells then help block the HIV virus while maintaining a functional immune system. The new form of therapy would also allow patients to stop needing to take anymore antiretroviral drugs. this treatment has already been tested successfully on mice in the lab, and Anderson is expecting to move on to clinical trials on humans very soon.
This article relates to our current unit as it displays a possible cure to a serious immune system disease: HIV and AIDS. HIV and its later stage, AIDS is a disease that infects many cells that are vital to the function of the immune system. Although, HIV by itself is not fatal, the disease damages the immune system so much that many patients die after obtaining another illness, such as the flu.
Jessica Berman
May 04, 2012
Considering this is related to stem cells, do you think this field can be restricted by the availability of stem cells to treat aids or stem cell research in general?
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ReplyDeleteIf, after experimenting, the stem cells did not work in humans, what would be some possible flaws in stem cells that would let stem cells work for mice but not for humans? Ex. are there differences in the immune system of mice vs. humans
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