Submission + - KU Leuven researchers develop method to permanently disable HIV virus (belganewsagency.eu)
nrosier writes: Researchers at KU Leuven have developed a method to render HIV viruses permanently harmless. The research was published on Thursday in the scientific journal Nature Communications.
Currently, 600,000 people worldwide still die from HIV infection every year. However, thanks to antiretroviral drugs, patients' quality of life has improved significantly and the number of new infections has fallen dramatically. However, as the medication only suppresses the virus, patients must take it for life.
Researchers at KU Leuven have now discovered a way to disable the virus completely in cells in a laboratory environment. Professor of molecular medicine Zeger Debyser describes this as a "scientific breakthrough". "Much clinical research is still needed before a new treatment can be developed, but this is already a big step forward."
Currently, 600,000 people worldwide still die from HIV infection every year. However, thanks to antiretroviral drugs, patients' quality of life has improved significantly and the number of new infections has fallen dramatically. However, as the medication only suppresses the virus, patients must take it for life.
Researchers at KU Leuven have now discovered a way to disable the virus completely in cells in a laboratory environment. Professor of molecular medicine Zeger Debyser describes this as a "scientific breakthrough". "Much clinical research is still needed before a new treatment can be developed, but this is already a big step forward."
