Gene Therapy Can Control HIV, New Research Reveals

Stem cells containing protective genes may provide permanent control of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in infected individuals, according to recent data.

In a landmark study, presented at the American Society of Gene Therapy 12th annual meeting, on May 30, 2009, held in San Diego, CA, USA, researchers demonstrated that a hematopoietic stem cell therapy could safely and successfully provide long-lasting control of HIV.

"This study was the first phase II randomized, controlled, double-blind study for cell-delivered HIV gene therapy and the first controlled HIV gene therapy study to show positive impact on viral load and CD4 count,” said Geoff Symonds, Ph.D., senior research director at Calimmune, Inc. (Sydney, NSW, Australia). "This study is a major advance in the field and it paves the way for future treatment with this new therapeutic paradigm.”

Seventy-four patients were enrolled in the study's two treatment arms. There were no serious adverse events reported from the gene therapy.

An estimated one million Americans and 35 million individuals worldwide are infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Conventional HIV treatments, such as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), are effective at slowing the disease's progression by controlling the amount of virus in the body. These therapies, however, require a lifelong regimen of medications and are hindered by severe side effects and enormous costs.