New developments for non-responsive ART patients

Patients with Aids/HIV who do not respond to anti-retroviral therapy (ART) could benefit from a new development, according to new research.

Scientists from Imperial College London have found that using a molecule in combination with ART could stem the impact of HIV and Aids.

In a study into Simian Immunodeficiency (SIV), the team found that the monkeys included responded to D-1mT when administered alongside traditional ART drugs.

SIV is the simian version of HIV and is similar to the human condition in the way it can be detected in blood.

The research team found that treating SIV positive monkeys with D-1mT led to a reduction of virus levels in the blood.

"Our early findings suggest that D-1mT could be used alongside antiretroviral therapy to stop the virus from replicating," lead researcher Dr Adriano Boasso said.

He explained: "The disease can only progress if the virus is replicating, so if we can slow replication down we can reduce the impact of the disease on the patient's life."

The study is published in the latest edition of the Journal of Immunology, with Dr Boasso suggesting that further investigation is required to establish how the molecule can be incorporated into HIV treatment.

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