Researchers Cure AIDS... not a joke. - Page 9

**jAZ** · 10-23-2007, 06:19 PM

If I understand this correctly, they've basically cured AIDS by allowing HIV positive people to have full immune systems.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...1020103343.htm

Researchers Knock Out HIV

ScienceDaily (Oct. 21, 2007) — With the latest advances in treatment, doctors have discovered that they can successfully neutralise the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The so-called ‘combination therapy’ prevents HIV from mutating and spreading, allowing patients to rebuild their immune system to the same levels as the rest of the population.

To date, it represents the most significant treatment for patients suffering from HIV.

Professor Jens Lundgren from the University of Copenhagen, together with other members of the research group EuroSIDA, have conducted a study, which demonstrates that the immune system of all HIV-infected patients can be restored and normalised. The only stipulation is that patients begin and continue to follow their course of treatment.

HIV attacks the body’s ability to counteract viruses

Viruses are small organisms that have no independent metabolism. Consequently, when they enter the body they attack living cells and adopt their metabolism. The influenza virus occupies cells in the nose, throat and lungs; the mumps attaches itself to the salivary glands of the ear; while the Polio virus plays on the intestinal tract, blood and salivary glands. In all these instances, our immune system attacks and eliminates the invading virus.

HIV is so deadly because the virus attaches itself to a crucial part of the immune system itself: to the so-called CD4+T lymphocytes, which are white blood corpuscles that help the immune system to fight infections. The Hi-virus forms and invades new CD4+T-lymphocytes. Slowly but surely, the number of healthy CD4+T lymphocytes in the blood fall, while HIV relentlessly weakens the body’s ability to defend itself from infection. Finally, the immune system erodes to such an extent that the infected patient is diagnosed with AIDS. The Hi-virus mutates constantly as it forms and this is why, scientists face a constant battle to find a cure or a vaccine.

Combination therapy knocks out HIV

Combination therapy prevents the virus from forming and mutating in human beings. When the virus is halted in its progress, the number of healthy CD4+T cells begins to rise and patients, who would otherwise die from HIV, can now survive. The immune system is rejuvenated and is apparently able to normalise itself, providing that the combination therapy is maintained. The moment the immune system begins to improve, the HIV-infected patient can no longer be said to be suffering from an HIV infection or disease, already declining in strength.

Findings from the study are published in the medical journal The Lancet - Vol. 370, Issue 9585, 4 August 2007, Pages 407-413

Adapted from materials provided by University Of Copenhagen.

**Donger** · 10-24-2007, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcan

What if AIDS were spread by these things, would I deserve it?

Since it isn't, I fail to see the relevance.

Mr. Laz · 10-24-2007, 10:37 AM

"if you get aids you deserve to die"

~Signed the GOP~

Brock · 10-24-2007, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

"if you get aids you deserve to die"

~Signed the GOP~

"aids is more important than cancer"

~Signed Liberals~

Beerthirty · 10-24-2007, 01:31 PM

Print em!

C-Mac · 10-28-2007, 09:31 AM

http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2...mental-ai.html
Experimental AIDS Vaccine May Increase Risk of HIV
By Brandon Keim October 25, 2007 | 11:18:31 AMCategories: AIDS/HIV, Medicine & Medical Procedures

The frustrating saga of AIDS vaccines -- 22 years of research, and not a single one yet works -- has taken a sad turn: an experimental vaccine developed by Merck may leave people more vulnerable to HIV infection.

The Washington Post reports that 19 South Africans who received the vaccine during a clinical trial have contracted the virus, compared to 11 people who received a placebo. Investigators are contacting participants to let them know whether or not they received the vaccine.

The trials, which began in December 2004, were not limited to South Africa, but included 15 U.S. cities, along with sites in Peru, Brazil, Australia, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. Those participants have not yet been told whether they received the vaccine; researchers will meet in November to decide whether the South African results are an aberration or indicative of a fundamental flaw in the vaccine.

It's possible that the infections were purely coincidental. It's also possible that the vaccine "could have caused immunological changes that made it easier for the virus to take hold during a later exposure."

This is a major setback for not only for Merck's vaccine, which was developed in conjunction with the NIH, but for the entire AIDS vaccine field. The Post notes that "researchers worldwide considered it the most promising candidate yet in a multibillion-dollar quest for an AIDS vaccine dating to the 1980s."

Why have AIDS vaccines proved so difficult to develop? An article published several years ago in PLoS Medicine discusses the many reasons -- the virus's hardiness, its uncanny ability to adapt to not only drugs but immune responses, and our own incomplete understanding of it. But some people are able to resist infection despite repeated exposures; and some are able to control the virus spontaneously. A vaccine is possible. And someday we'll find it.

Adept Havelock · 10-28-2007, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C-Mac

A vaccine is possible. And someday we'll find it.

Exactly.

10-23-2007, 06:19 PM
jAZ Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Casino cash: $9817493	Researchers Cure AIDS... not a joke. If I understand this correctly, they've basically cured AIDS by allowing HIV positive people to have full immune systems. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...1020103343.htm Researchers Knock Out HIV ScienceDaily (Oct. 21, 2007) — With the latest advances in treatment, doctors have discovered that they can successfully neutralise the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The so-called ‘combination therapy’ prevents HIV from mutating and spreading, allowing patients to rebuild their immune system to the same levels as the rest of the population. To date, it represents the most significant treatment for patients suffering from HIV. Professor Jens Lundgren from the University of Copenhagen, together with other members of the research group EuroSIDA, have conducted a study, which demonstrates that the immune system of all HIV-infected patients can be restored and normalised. The only stipulation is that patients begin and continue to follow their course of treatment. HIV attacks the body’s ability to counteract viruses Viruses are small organisms that have no independent metabolism. Consequently, when they enter the body they attack living cells and adopt their metabolism. The influenza virus occupies cells in the nose, throat and lungs; the mumps attaches itself to the salivary glands of the ear; while the Polio virus plays on the intestinal tract, blood and salivary glands. In all these instances, our immune system attacks and eliminates the invading virus. HIV is so deadly because the virus attaches itself to a crucial part of the immune system itself: to the so-called CD4+T lymphocytes, which are white blood corpuscles that help the immune system to fight infections. The Hi-virus forms and invades new CD4+T-lymphocytes. Slowly but surely, the number of healthy CD4+T lymphocytes in the blood fall, while HIV relentlessly weakens the body’s ability to defend itself from infection. Finally, the immune system erodes to such an extent that the infected patient is diagnosed with AIDS. The Hi-virus mutates constantly as it forms and this is why, scientists face a constant battle to find a cure or a vaccine. Combination therapy knocks out HIV Combination therapy prevents the virus from forming and mutating in human beings. When the virus is halted in its progress, the number of healthy CD4+T cells begins to rise and patients, who would otherwise die from HIV, can now survive. The immune system is rejuvenated and is apparently able to normalise itself, providing that the combination therapy is maintained. The moment the immune system begins to improve, the HIV-infected patient can no longer be said to be suffering from an HIV infection or disease, already declining in strength. Findings from the study are published in the medical journal The Lancet - Vol. 370, Issue 9585, 4 August 2007, Pages 407-413 Adapted from materials provided by University Of Copenhagen.
Posts: 24,800

10-24-2007, 10:37 AM	#122
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	"if you get aids you deserve to die" ~Signed the GOP~ __________________
Posts: 95,626

10-24-2007, 01:31 PM	#124
Beerthirty Starter Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: St.Joseph MO Casino cash: $9854915	Print em!
Posts: 298

10-28-2007, 09:31 AM	#125
C-Mac Lurker Extraordinaire Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wally World Casino cash: $-1096301	http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2...mental-ai.html Experimental AIDS Vaccine May Increase Risk of HIV By Brandon Keim October 25, 2007 \| 11:18:31 AMCategories: AIDS/HIV, Medicine & Medical Procedures The frustrating saga of AIDS vaccines -- 22 years of research, and not a single one yet works -- has taken a sad turn: an experimental vaccine developed by Merck may leave people more vulnerable to HIV infection. The Washington Post reports that 19 South Africans who received the vaccine during a clinical trial have contracted the virus, compared to 11 people who received a placebo. Investigators are contacting participants to let them know whether or not they received the vaccine. The trials, which began in December 2004, were not limited to South Africa, but included 15 U.S. cities, along with sites in Peru, Brazil, Australia, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. Those participants have not yet been told whether they received the vaccine; researchers will meet in November to decide whether the South African results are an aberration or indicative of a fundamental flaw in the vaccine. It's possible that the infections were purely coincidental. It's also possible that the vaccine "could have caused immunological changes that made it easier for the virus to take hold during a later exposure." This is a major setback for not only for Merck's vaccine, which was developed in conjunction with the NIH, but for the entire AIDS vaccine field. The Post notes that "researchers worldwide considered it the most promising candidate yet in a multibillion-dollar quest for an AIDS vaccine dating to the 1980s." Why have AIDS vaccines proved so difficult to develop? An article published several years ago in PLoS Medicine discusses the many reasons -- the virus's hardiness, its uncanny ability to adapt to not only drugs but immune responses, and our own incomplete understanding of it. But some people are able to resist infection despite repeated exposures; and some are able to control the virus spontaneously. A vaccine is possible. And someday we'll find it.
Posts: 5,661