For scientists, HIV therapies mean?

HIV therapies method can eliminate HIV from whole cells of the body or set up an immune response strong enough to control HIV may not need to use drugs. The difficulty in removing HIV from the body is the virus remains latent in CD4 cells over the years but go undetected by the immune system. Only when those cells are activated by an external agent, they will begin production of HIV. These cells form a "reservoir" latent virus with thousands of cells can cause rebound after HIV antiretroviral therapy stopped. It will activate the infected cells, causing a resurgence of HIV.

The case of Timothy Brown is just one example of HIV therapy has been scientifically confirmed. However, this case also raises questions about the definition of what HIV therapies. Scientists say up to 2 results from the study of therapy: a virus is eliminated from the body; two therapies is functional, ie a small amount of virus remains now, but can still be controlled without medication.

The researchers said that in HIV patients Berlin case represents the first example of the elimination of HIV. But documents recently presented at "International Conference on Drug-resistant virus and Hepatitis and HIV therapy", held in Sitges, Spain last June that a number of rooms experiments testing blood and tissue samples of patients Berlin and found a very low amount of HIV DNA and RNA has existed for many years after receiving treatment. This proves that HIV is not completely removed from the patient's body. However, these samples but also some other laboratories can not detect HIV.

Professor Sharon Lewin's Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, said: "I feel this test is incorrect. DNA and RNA samples were tested in the laboratory has extensive experience in this area but the results were inconsistent. " According to him, can not have a virus infection or have been restored to the level of detection. "If the result is accurate, we will have a great example for therapeutic functional."

Dr. Steve Deeks said the discovery of evidence related to the existence of HIV in the above case has brought three messages. First, there should be more sensitive tests to assess the HIV research eliminated. Second, the immune response may be only the most important measure to evaluate the effectiveness of a therapeutic function. Antibody levels of Timothy Brown continues to show no reduction of HIV is growing enough to stimulate the immune response. Finally, all clinical signs show that the patient is recovering well without antiviral treatment. Again shows the existence of low-level HIV does not cause any injury to the body.

Indeed, for all types of cells can HIV infection, therapy may be functional more feasible and also satisfy people with HIV, depending on how it affects everyday life to what extent their day.

"Recently I asked some people in Asia that they want something. They say 'A therapy that they can stop.' " Professor Francoise Barre-Sinoussi said at a press conference.
On the other hand, research conducted with people living with HIV in the Netherlands showed that the patient wants a treatment therapy can eliminate long-term health damage, side effects, stop discrimination and the risk of infecting your partner. Fred Verdult He said the conference "Towards an HIV therapies" that, when asked to rank the benefits in terms of psychological health and, those infected with HIV evaluation of psychological benefits for a highly therapeutic.

A therapeutic function or terminate therapy of AIDS will depend on access to HIV patients, including those who recognize the disease and those who are carrying does not recognize itself is the illness.