Study Signals Promise for New HIV Therapy Approach

[hightime]

WASHINGTON (AP) - Researchers may finally be on track to fight the AIDS virus by blocking a long-elusive target, an HIV enzyme called integrase. An experimental drug that inhibits the enzyme helped to keep the infection in check in monkeys.
Far more research is needed to prove if Merck & Co.'s approach really can block this enzyme's crucial work in helping HIV reproduce and spread. After all, years of attempts at targeting integrase have failed.

In a study published Thursday in the journal Science, Merck reports that an integrase inhibitor dramatically protected monkeys when the drug was given early in infection. The drug also provided some benefit to the very sick.

Merck is studying some integrase inhibitor candidates in a few people to see whether the pills seem safe and to check for any early signs of viral suppression. Results, due by early next year, will determine whether larger studies should be performed on the prospective drugs
http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGB3D1V6FWD.html

[jukes]

1. sounds promising

hope it developes into a real therapy.


good spot, tx!

[HysteryDiagnosis]

2. In the meantime....

hope it developes into a real therapy.


good spot, tx!<<

You should know that highly specific, highly effective antioxidants are extremely adept at supporting the immune system.... regardless the threat.... true story.

Immune restoration by lipoic acid in AIDS
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/gui/c/w1b/show/NCT00033176?order=1&JServSessionIdzone_ct=fbm6zyg6u1

The purpose of this study is to determine the immunomodulatory and antiviral effects of the glutathione-restoring dithiol, alpha lipoic acid (ALA) in HIV-infected persons unresponsive to highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART).

[Th1onein]

3. Why just take a glutathione-restoring drug when you can take

glutathione, itself. My research group has been using buffered inhaled glutathione for YEARS in CF children, and glutathione levels have been shown to be a MAJOR indicator of mortality rates in HIV patients. Could it be because glutathione is an "old" compound that the pharmaceutical companies cannot get a patent on, and make any money off of? Yep, I think so.

[Massacure]

4. A company spends $10 billion only to have another sell glutathione

Company A is charges higher prices to compensate for the $10 billion. Company B has lower prices, thus takes all the business. Company A is $10 billion in the hole.

Sounds like messed up logic to me. Am I missing something?

[HysteryDiagnosis]

5. "Why just take a glutathione-restoring drug when you can take"

>>glutathione, itself. My research group has been using buffered inhaled glutathione for YEARS in CF children, and glutathione levels have been shown to be a MAJOR indicator of mortality rates in HIV patients. Could it be because glutathione is an "old" compound that the pharmaceutical companies cannot get a patent on, and make any money off of? Yep, I think so.<<

You get the prize. Correcting levels of various extreeeeemly important compounds through natural methods.... is a perty durn good answer to many many things that many billions of dollars have been spent/wasted on.... but don't tell anyone.