This archive report was first published on 29 September 2019.
On September 29, 2019, a significant milestone was achieved in the quest for an HIV cure with the discovery of a molecular 'Kill Switch' by scientists in the US.
The breakthrough, led by Dr. Tariq Rana and his team at the University of California San Diego, involves a genetic sequencing technique that identifies a key cellular player, a long noncoding RNA molecule, which appears elevated in people with HIV.
Tests on cultured cells showed that silencing or removing this molecule prevented HIV from recurring even after antiretroviral therapy was stopped.
According to Dr. Rana, "By genetically modifying a long noncoding RNA, we prevent HIV recurrence in T cells (immune cells) upon cessation of antiretroviral treatment, suggesting that we have a potential therapeutic target to eradicate HIV and AIDS."
While this discovery brings hope for a cure, it is essential to note that the current treatment for HIV/AIDS, which involves a combination of three drugs, is highly effective in reducing the viral load and preventing the transmission of the virus.
However, this treatment does not amount to a cure, as the virus remains inactive in the body and can reawaken if antiretroviral therapy is stopped.
