Scientists Cut Out HIV DNA From Infected Cells

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Facts

  • Scientists at the Netherlands' Amsterdam University Medical Center say they've used the Nobel Prize-winning CRISPR-Cas gene editing technology to remove all traces of HIV from infected cells in a laboratory.1
  • In their research, presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, the scientists applied CRISPR-Cas 'scissors' to cut the HIV DNA at designated spots.2
  • The approach, they claim, facilitated the elimination of harmful genes and the introduction of new genetic material into the cells.3
  • As they could create an efficient attack on the virus in different types of cells, the scientists strive to develop a broad-spectrum 'HIV cure for all' that can render most known HIV strains inactive.4
  • Though they seek to ensure their findings are as safe as possible for future clinical applications, the scientists say 'it is premature to declare that there is a functional HIV cure on the horizon.' The research remains proof of concept.5
  • Approximately 39M people worldwide were living with HIV in 2022. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 85.6M people have acquired HIV, while 40.4M have died of AIDS-related illnesses.6

Sources: 1EurekAlert!, 2Sky News, 3Metro, 4Evening Standard, 5Wales Online and 6UN Aids.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by The Sun. Existing HIV medications can stop the spread of the virus but can't eliminate it. This research raises hopes that the deadly infectious illness can be completely cured through a robust and safe CRISPR-Cas regimen, which can track down and chop the virus in secret reservoirs. Though the research won't immediately translate into a cure, these preliminary findings are encouraging.
  • Narrative B, as provided by BBC News. HIV creates a secret reservoir of infected cells that remain hidden from the immune system and antiretroviral therapy, which is why, while its future may look promising, further research is needed to ensure the technology would be safe and effective to rid a patient of HIV completely. As this is not peer-reviewed, a full evaluation of the research is necessary to address its possible long-term side effects.

Predictions