An early stage trial of an HIV treatment found that the gene therapy reduced levels of the virus and even eliminated it in one patient with a naturally occurring gene mutation.
If shown to be safe and effective, the treatment could end the need for the antiretroviral drugs now used to keep the virus that causes AIDS in check by suppressing viral replication in the blood.
In a September 19 statement from the University of Pennsylvania, the lead researcher said the tiny study could be the first step to a “functional cure” for AIDS.
(READ the story in Reuters)