Possible cure for HIV discovered

[horny nikka]

Feb. 9, 2009 -- HIV is notorious for its ability to mutate and evade drugs designed to destroy it. Now scientists are testing a new drug that actually speeds up that rate of change in the hope that the deadly virus will mutate itself to death.

"The HIV virus is so dependent on mutation that it really lives on the edge of existence," said John Reno, Chief Operating Officer for Koronis Pharmaceuticals, the company developing a drug called KP-1461. "But we figured that if we could increase this mutation rate, [HIV] might finally fall off that edge."

KP-1461 is a mutagen, meaning it encourages mutation, and has been in development for several years by the scientists at Koronis Pharmaceuticals.

When any cell or virus reproduces, there are inevitable mistakes, or mutations, as the four building blocks of DNA pair together into a double helix. Usually, the base adenine pairs up with the base thymine, and one called guanine pairs with cytosine.

That build-up can take time, and could vary depending on the patient and the strain of HIV. The results of the latest Phase Two clinical trial, completed last year with 13 patients, were mixed; some patients saw no drop in their viral load, while others saw a dramatic drop. The scientists are currently working to publish the study results.

What's clear is that KP-1461 does eventually destroy HIV in some patients, unlike the current batch of antiretroviral drugs, which limit the reproduction of the virus but fail to destroy it.

KP-1461 doesn't have any known side effects, but the worry from the Food and Drug Administration is that a drug that induces mutation in a virus could also cause dangerous mutations in the patient's own DNA.

So far it doesn't appear to cause short-term mutations in animal models, but longer-term studies are necessary to eliminate the possibility, said Robert Smith, a professor at the University of Washington who studies other lethal mutagenic drugs.

Mutagenic drugs could be used to fight other diseases as well, such as polio, hepatitis C and influenza. KP-1461 is at the forefront of this new avenue of research.

"Intellectually this is exciting; it's a very creative approach," said Smith. "From a practical perspective, there are still a lot of questions."

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/0...-mutation.html

What do you think? I find this to be an interesting way of fighting it, but I wouldn't exactly be the first person in line to get tested by it.

 

[Psychology]

There's no money in cures, so I have little hope. People don't NEED 90% of the medication that they take. To get a bit off topic, I find it funny that America is so against drugs and drug addiction, yet perscription drugs are a billion dollar business.

 

[kristoflaw10]

I wouldn't say you're off topic Psychology, if their is some mutating virus that requires medication as a result of the cure, they'll release a cure for HIV.

 

[Member2019]

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/0...-mutation.html
What do you think? I find this to be an interesting way of fighting it, but I wouldn't exactly be the first person in line to get tested by it.

It's certainly a new way of looking at viruses and antibiotic resistant bacteria. Even antibiotics changed everything we knew about fighting most bacteria, so maybe this is the avenue for most viruses? Mutagens.

The FDA has to be concerned about any mutagen. It will mess with DNA. The question is what DNA. At most, it may be that those who take it should not be allowed to procreate until more is known. Unfortunately, that's kinda hard to enforce, and could be an ethical consideration for many.

Still, mutagens may be the way forward, and there's always a price to pay in some way. Just look at bacteria today, several strains now fighting many antibiotics.

BTW, saying researchers and companies purposely try to limit the usefulness and try to interject some sort of artificial dependency is a bit laughable to myself. It's like saying we engineers purposely build devices to break so you have to buy a new product every, few years. Nothing is intentional at all, and often the by-product of how long it takes to perfect things, and the sheer cost of doing something absolute right (which is impossible to the extreme) versus the feasibility of creating something and making it both technically feasible (cost-wise included).

It's unethical for any professional, especially a state, licensed professional, to do such. And I'm not talking about "licensed professional" in the "hey, I can get my real estate license in 9 weeks" professional, but those who have 9+ years of combined education and experience and basically put their entire, life-long career on the line, 'for the public good' type of licensed professional -- doctors (MD), engineers (PE), lawyers, etc...

 

[D-rock]

I would be worried that speeding up mutations could also have the effect of mutating a virus into something even worse than before quicker then it would have otherwise.

 

[TwatDetective]

I would be worried that speeding up mutations could also have the effect of mutating a virus into something even worse than before quicker then it would have otherwise.

Shit.

This is how Zombie outbreaks start.

 

[Torre82]

I doubt there's a worry for vampire-zombies.. but the gist of the BOOK that is known as 'I AM LEGEND' deals with this scenario. You try to cure something in a radical new way and end up causing something bigger... something monumentally detrimental to it all. There's truly no way to test it long-term, and honestly.. without massive human rights violations. You would have to quarantine the subjects for years. YEARS.. to see what effects it can have. It's an excellent answer to the AIDS question, sure. But.. at what cost? What if the next generation carries AIDS the same way we carry beneficial bacteria? They could be carriers - not sufferers... immune but immensely contagious. The virus could eventually mutate into something truly deadly instead of harmless. It's improbable.. but hey, messing with the course of nature should be done with the most extreme delicacy and patience of lifetimes. :sigh: Saying that, tho... it'll probably be approved by the gov. within 10 years at max. Here's hoping nothing crashes.

 

[dogbone27]

Shit.

This is how Zombie outbreaks start.

Now that'd be a site for sore eyes, a zombie apocalypse.

Dude, let me tell you, once a person die they're not coming back. It's all make believe.

 

[PlasmaTwa2]

Now that'd be a site for sore eyes, a zombie apocalypse.

Dude, let me tell you, once a person die they're not coming back. It's all make believe.

Yeah, well say that when the zombies are ripping you to shreads...

 

[dogbone27]

Yeah, well say that when the zombies are ripping you to shreads...

So you actually think the dead will reanimation?. Real Zombie aren't even like that, It's was all George Romero who came up with the reanimation fleash eating zombie.

 

[PlasmaTwa2]

So you actually think the dead will reanimation?. Real Zombie aren't even like that, It's was all George Romero who came up with the reanimation fleash eating zombie.

It's all a joke... Seriously! :thumbsup:

Though, we all know those who don't believe in the zombies are always the first to join their ranks...

 

[dogbone27]

It's all a joke... Seriously! :thumbsup:

Though, we all know those who don't believe in the zombies are always the first to join their ranks...

Oh, ok XDLOL excuse me then....

 

[thatzeppellin]

There's no money in cures, so I have little hope. People don't NEED 90% of the medication that they take. To get a bit off topic, I find it funny that America is so against drugs and drug addiction, yet perscription drugs are a billion dollar business.

I agree 100%.. sad but true.. to think there actually might be a cure but will never come to fruition because it would be bad business for some is just saddening.

 

[No_Man]

"KP-1461 is a mutagen, meaning it encourages mutation, and has been in development for several years by the scientists at Koronis Pharmaceuticals."

Sweet! It cures AIDS and it will turn your pet turtles into crime fighting ninjas.

 

[calpoon]

the worst part about it is that aids is a hard to transfer disease, compared to most, and it is easily preventable. You know how they "cured" the black plague in medieval Europe? everyone that had it died and so eventually there was no one left to pass it on.

here's how to stop aids at virtually no cost.

1. don't fuck without a condom, and you probably won't get it.

2. if you have it, don't fuck. period.

that's it. pretty simple.

you have a choice between mild discomfort and social awkwardness, or dying from a debilitating disease. hmm.. gosh, i'm really not sure which one I'll choose...

 

[pikachar]

I doubt there's a worry for vampire-zombies.. but the gist of the BOOK that is known as 'I AM LEGEND' deals with this scenario. You try to cure something in a radical new way and end up causing something bigger... something monumentally detrimental to it all. There's truly no way to test it long-term, and honestly.. without massive human rights violations. You would have to quarantine the subjects for years. YEARS.. to see what effects it can have. It's an excellent answer to the AIDS question, sure. But.. at what cost? What if the next generation carries AIDS the same way we carry beneficial bacteria? They could be carriers - not sufferers... immune but immensely contagious. The virus could eventually mutate into something truly deadly instead of harmless. It's improbable.. but hey, messing with the course of nature should be done with the most extreme delicacy and patience of lifetimes. :sigh: Saying that, tho... it'll probably be approved by the gov. within 10 years at max. Here's hoping nothing crashes.

Agreed, no telling what we could do, like make HIV airborne (yes by changing the RNA of the virus so it replicates a different protein coating)... Scary thought isn't it? Not only that think about how our immune system works, could the "tweaked bug" cause less of an immune response, or can it overwhelm the immune response.... depends on what we do to the virus and what not. I think HIV is a great little bug (minus the lethality), amazing design, and nearly flies 100% below our immune system radar.

Shit.

This is how Zombie outbreaks start.

Agreed, Picture this scenario... I am legend + Shawn of the dead + Blade trilogy.... it's hard to imagine but, amazing if it did. Hence why I'm stocking up on bullets, beans, and batteries. Also, I need some garlic, silver, and anti-coagulants.... that'll cover the vampires. Now where's a good pub at?

the worst part about it is that aids is a hard to transfer disease, compared to most, and it is easily preventable. You know how they "cured" the black plague in medieval Europe? everyone that had it died and so eventually there was no one left to pass it on.

here's how to stop aids at virtually no cost.

1. don't fuck without a condom, and you probably won't get it.

2. if you have it, don't fuck. period.

that's it. pretty simple.

you have a choice between mild discomfort and social awkwardness, or dying from a debilitating disease. hmm.. gosh, i'm really not sure which one I'll choose...

I know it's a good plan, but someone will probably complain about that... So I say go change the RNA, make some zombie-vampire dudes, and let's have some fun! See you at the pub in 10+ years! :thumbsup:

 

[Facetious]

How has Magic Johnson been been so successful fighting back his HIV all of these years ?

 

[dogbone27]

How has Magic Johnson been been so successful fighting back his HIV all of these years ?

money....

 

[Adore this Girl]

god i hope there is a cure for all the sufferers who have this destructive disease.

God bless them.

 

[Violator79]

here's how to stop aids at virtually no cost.

1. don't fuck without a condom, and you probably won't get it.

2. if you have it, don't fuck. period.

that's it. pretty simple.

That's the way I was taught as a kid. But there's also the risk of getting infected blood during a transfusion, and that's not the person's fault. Look at Arthur Ashe for an example. As for the "if you have it, don't fuck" issue, there is one catch to that, and I'm not trying to be funny or disrespectful: if a person has HIV and they know someone that also has it, they can fuck and have no worries. What are they gonna do? Give it to each other? They can fuck as much as they want, just as long as they don't fuck someone else without HIV.

I hope this potential cure works. HIV/AIDS is the greatest viral scourge of the past 100 years. It's time to end it.

"The single greatest threat to man's continued dominance on the planet is the virus."- Dr. Joshua Leteberg, Nobel Laureate