Scientists have discovered a new treatment that may control the AIDS virus. The treatment trains infected cells in the body to recognize the disease and trigger its effectiveness. After tested on Macaques, the disease proved to be fully contained, though not cured. The test monkeys were injected with a virus called SIV. (Simian immunodeficiency virus)
OPAL (Overlapping Peptide-pulsed Autologous Cells) involves mixing a patient’s blood cells with part of the virus’s protein. The cells are then reinstated into the patients system. Stephen Kent of the University of Melbourne, Australia, invented the treatment by taking peptides from the virus “and placed them in lab dishes with both whole blood and isolated immune system cells,” Reuters reports.
"The immunotherapy resulted in fewer deaths from AIDS. We conclude this is a promising immunotherapy technique. Trials in HIV-infected humans of OPAL therapy are planned,” Kent wrote in his report.
One of the deadliest viruses on earth, AIDS has infected over 33 million people in the world. 25 million of those have died since it was first discovered in the 1980’s. OPAL isn’t the first treatment patients of the virus have tried. There are mixtures of pills certain people take, such as AZT, but they unfortunately have side effects, are highly toxic and are hard to maintain financially for the average citizen.
The OPAL immunotherapy is expected to last longer, and better, by strengthening the AIDs specific CD4 T cells, therefore containing the virus. Not to mention it’s much more cost effective. Treatments should start immediately after an infection occurs.
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