The battle against HIV has been long ongoing, with many studies made to target the eradication of the chronic virus. While ART has been successful in turning the once fatal viral infection into a chronic but manageable illness, studies have revealed that there is an increasing number of drug-resistant HIV cases globally.
However, there seems to be a glimmer of hope in the form of gene editing technology. Gene editing is not new to the medical world, with it being widely used to treat individuals with sickle-cell disease. Several experiments that have been conducted suggest that it can also be used to treat conditions such as cystic fibrosis, eye cataracts, and haemophilia. Recent studies are suggesting that gene editing may have the potential to cure HIV/AIDS.
Assisting the immune system to target hidden HIV
CRISPR gene editing, also known as Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, has been long debated in the medical research field as a potential cure for HIV. Through this gene editing technique, the HIV DNA is extracted from the infected cells, even when they are dormant and latent.
Several CRISPR animal studies have been conducted targeting infected cells carrying viral genetic information. The gene editing was conducted alongside ART medications to see if the combination could eradicate the viral particles completely. The results revealed that gene editing activated the latent HIV cells, which the ART medications helped to eliminate the virus.
Researchers have since taken this positive result to the next stage. From 2022 to 2023, Excision BioTherapeutics, a US-based biotechnology company, added a single dose of the gene-editing tool to three HIV-positive individuals. While initial reports displayed positive results that it was safe and did not come with any significant side effects, no concrete information regarding the treatment’s effectiveness has been made yet.
HIV, a sneaky and hidden target
The primary reason why HIV cannot be eradicated entirely with current medications alone is that the virus inserts its genetic material into our cells’ DNA, leaving behind hidden copies that can be activated in the right circumstances, restarting the entire infection process. This is why, despite battling the virus for the past 40 years, there are still no signs of an HIV vaccine. A vaccine has to trigger antibody production to be effective. However, in the case of HIV, the virus is able to modify and disguise itself easily. As a result, it is able to change and evade antibodies effectively.
Studies have revealed that HIV is capable of mutating up to 100,000 times quicker than other kinds of viruses. This immense survival mechanism is the reason why researchers have found it hard to target the virus effectively.
It is also the reason why CRISPR gene editing is not being hailed as the solution to our long-standing problem. However, with the results mentioned above, it is the starting point in which CRISPR can be used to address another source of our HIV complications: The hidden reservoirs.
HIV is capable of creating inactive, hidden reservoirs that can be activated in the right circumstances. These reservoirs are the sole reason why HIV-positive individuals require lifelong use of ART medications. ART is still the most effective method to destroy the active HIV virus. If stopped, the latent reservoirs become activated.
Conclusion
While we can only wait for a conclusive CRISPR study result sometime this year, it is fortunate to know that ART is still available for managing HIV. On top of that, getting HIV testing conducted regularly, especially if you are sexually active or dabble in high-risk sexual activities, is highly recommended.
Here at Elyon Clinic, we offer a comprehensive range of STD tests that cover most, if not all, common STDs, such as HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, and HSV, ensuring that you have the power to take charge of your sexual health. Contact us to find out about our consultation hours, and make an appointment to consult our doctors regarding your sexual health today!