Paging Dr. Andy
Q: The AIDS virus has been around for decades, why is there no cure?
A: Actually the virus that causes AIDS, may have been infecting humans for over a hundred years. New research indicates that HIV may have been a viable virus as far back as the late 1800s. As is the case with most viruses, cures are very difficult. The reason is both complicated and perplexing, but most scientists feel that it is hard to cure viruses because of their ability to rapidly mutate and become resistant to any treatments. Historically, the only way to eradicate a virus has been through vaccines which seem to prevent initial infection. Two of our CPFA funded scientists are now looking at a protein called PD-1 that may enable the body to recognize and destroy residual or latent viruses. This discovery may help eradicate other chronic viruses such as Epstein-Barr (Mononucleosis) and Varicella Zoster (Chicken Pox and Shingles). Scientists are now working on the hypothesis that a combined approach of medical anti-virals in combination with immune boosters that help the body fight viral infections may be needed to get closer to a cure for HIV and other viruses.
Q: Are there any vaccines available?
A: Presently there is only one vaccine in phase 2 trials in the United States. This vaccine is being tested by Geovax in conjunction with the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative and the NIH. Geovax is a publically held company specializing in HIV vaccines and their chief scientist is Dr. Harriet Robinson a friend of CPFA. To date there have been no untoward problems with this vaccine and this vaccine is progressing well in phase 2. Recently, Geovax has applied to the FDA to use this DNA/MVA vaccine as a treatment vaccine. This multi-million dollar study would determine whether vaccinating patients with this treatment vaccine who are already infected with HIV, but are doing well on optimal HIV medication, can be allowednto decrease or stop their HIV medication and still control their viral load. This would have monumental positive ramifications in a world where millions of infected HIV patients are suffering severe side effects from their HIV medications and the cost of HIV drugs prevent many infected patients from being optimally treated. Obviously, the rapid FDA approval of this project would have great meaning to CPFA as our seed money funded the original research by Dr. Rama Amara on this exact treatment vaccine.
