CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2023 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
Don’t miss our latest news! Sign up today for our free newsletter.
Scroll To Top
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
The immune system protein interleukin-7 may help flush out HIV viral reservoirs and possibly eradicate HIV from the body when used in combination with antiretroviral drugs, researchers from Thomas Jefferson University's Center for Human Virology and Biodefense report in the January 3 issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation. While antiretrovirals have been effective in suppressing HIV replication in HIV patients, the virus can lurk in dormant immune system cells and escape the effects of anti-HIV drugs. When the cells reactivate--years or even decades later--the virus becomes active and starts making copies of itself. The long lives of these viral reservoirs have led some AIDS experts to suggest that an HIV-positive person may never be rid of the virus and be forced to take anti-HIV medications indefinitely. The researchers studied a variety of immune system chemicals, including several interleukins, and discovered that when IL-7 was administered in conjunction with an antiretroviral drug cocktail it was effective in reactivating dormant HIV-infected cells. Previous studies have shown that IL-5 similarly activated dormant cells. The researchers say combining IL-7 with other compounds like IL-5 could possibly deplete viral reservoirs in the body. "The only way we are going to cure this disease is by getting rid of the latent virus," lead researcher Roger Pomerantz told BBC News. "It's a little bit like treating cancer. You give induction treatment to stop the viral load and then use this approach to get rid of the residual disease, much like chemotherapy."
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Lauren Boebert Caught Fondling Date’s Genitals During Family-Friendly Musical: Video
September 15 2023 11:20 PM
Don’t miss our latest news! Sign up today for our free newsletter.
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
Watch Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey Get Steamy in 'Fellow Travelers' Clip
September 19 2023 8:03 PM
Sarah McBride Leads Delaware Congressional Poll and Would Be First Trans U.S. Representative
September 19 2023 6:52 PM
Missouri Republican Vows to Burn 'Woke Pornographic Books' If Elected Governor
September 19 2023 5:00 PM
Incel Influencer Sneako’s Young Fans Yell ‘All Gays Should Die’ in Viral Video
September 19 2023 4:05 PM
Marjorie Taylor Greene Shares Fake Video of Pride Flag Tussle as If It's Real
September 19 2023 11:00 AM
Lauren Boebert Apparently Disinvited From Right-Wing Youth Conference Over Theater Scandal
September 18 2023 5:33 PM