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HIV breakthrough?

By on February 4, 2011

A groups of scientists in Melbourne are this morning claiming to have unlocked what they think could be the key to curing HIV.

In the medical journal Cell, the scientists from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute say they have cured an infection similar to HIV in mice by boosting their immune system using a synthetic version of a hormone that occurs naturally in the body.

“We are very optimistic that we should be able to find a cure for HIV in 10 to 15 years,” lead researcher Dr Marc Pellegrini told Melbourne’s Herald Sun newspaper.

He said an injection given to HIV patients either every three days or once a week for a month – dependent upon the strength of the medication – could cure the patient of HIV and other viral infections like hepatitis B and C, and bacterial infections such as tuberculosis.

The breakthrough centres on a hormone called interlukin-7 (IL-7), which occurs naturally in low levels in the body’s immune system.

“Viruses such as HIV and hepatitis B and C overwhelm the immune system, leading to the establishment of chronic infections that are life-long and incurable,” Dr Pellegrini said.

Dr Pellegrini’s team infected mice with a virus which mimics HIV. Some were then injected with IL-7 over three weeks, and the rest given an alternative.

The researchers found that the T cell numbers in the mice given IL-7 were boosted dramatically after 30 days — and after 60 days they were clear of the virus.

Positive Life NSW Executive Officer Rob Lake said the announcement was encouraging.

“Immune boosting therapies have great potential for future HIV treatments,” he told the Star Observer.

“Should this initial research in mice prove itself to be effective and safe in humans, it could offer major additional treatment options for people with HIV in years to come.”

Dr Pellegrini hopes to begin trials on newly infected HIV patients within two years.

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4 Comments

  1. Phil

    February 4, 2011 at 8:40 am


    Motivation? – Sounds brutal but it might get people moving. There would have to be a Nobel Prize and a fortune in cracking the HIV problem

    That and the joy of saving millions of lives and receiving the gratitude of the entire world

    This is a problem that can be solved by throwing money at it. Governments should back researchers with money, facilities and direct assistance. A day wasted is lives lost – we can’t wait ten years to see if something works – we need to shorten that to a year or less. Let’s rule this idea in or out now.

  2. James

    February 7, 2011 at 9:19 am


    Phil, that’s exactly the type of misguided activism that got AZT fast tracked for monotherapy against HIV.

    And what a disaster that turned out to be, an entire generation of gay men wiped out.

    If this science is sound, then it needs to properly researched for efficacy and safety tested against any unwanted side effects.

  3. elise

    July 8, 2011 at 7:32 am


    this is so uplifting and gives hope to those of us who were infected by rape/unwanted sexual encounters. everyday i pray to god that there will be a cure for this horrible disease. I will be keeping an eye on the DOH for more recent updates. 10-15 years…i can hold out till then. thank you for not giving up hope for a cure!!!!

  4. damien

    September 2, 2011 at 4:55 am


    i think is very hope ful news and i do agree the sooner the better.ive lived with hiv for 18yrs and the last five years my appearance and quality of life has declined due to the side effects of the medicine and elisa what about the people who wernt raped or dodnt have unwanted sexual encounters but through casual un protected sex in the heat of the momemt like most people are guilty of like my self whats your opinion on them

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