Marrow transplant may have cured man’s AIDS

[Roon]

BERLIN - An American man who suffered from AIDS appears to have been cured of the disease 20 months after receiving a targeted bone marrow transplant normally used to fight leukemia, his doctors said Wednesday.

While researchers — and the doctors themselves — caution that the case might be no more than a fluke, others say it may inspire a greater interest in gene therapy to fight the disease that claims 2 million lives each year. The virus has infected 33 million people worldwide.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27683001/

[babylonsister]

1. Wow! Imagine! nt

[siligut]

2. Thank you Roon.

Doctors like Gero Huetter are to be treasured! I have seen Hep-C cured by a bone marrow transplant! From the article, the bone marrow for HIV has to come from not only a match, but from someone with a unique genetic make up.

It does make sense, consider bone marrow is like any other organ, but it is responsible for all of our blood cells, including the immune factors! So cool! Dare we hope? Can’t wait to hear more about this.

[TZ]

3. Its interesting BUT.....

Bone Marrow transplant is a VERY risky procedure still and unfortunately a lot of people with HIV/AIDS aren't going to be strong enough for the procedure. I know...I know that a BMT would probably cure me and people like me but its only done as a last resort because of the risk factors.
A little OT but your post reminded me..did you know that the interferon used to treat me is also used to treat Hep-C and HIV? So even though my problem is technically not an immune issue it is related.

[Roon]

4. Oh, I know

but this paves a way for new research and maybe they can get some treatment options using the microscope

[TZ]

6. Yes definitely promising.

I hope so too and personally..for people like me with Orphan diseases (rare diseases) often times we get breakthroughs from research originally aimed at other diseases..like with the interferon...

[siligut]

7. I thought of you when I read the article.

Yes, I worked with people with Hep-C. I know that interferon is used for cancer also.

[Roon]

5. That is one reason I don't run out and have casual sex

the last thing I need is Hep C. That would be terrible on top of hiv.

[roguevalley]

8. awesome. I hope this works.