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In recognition of HIV/AIDS Awareness
Month, researchers from the Drexel University College of Medicine’s Division of
Infectious Disease and HIV Medicine outlined their HIV/AIDS research and
prevention activities. Three HIV research approaches exist: kill HIV-infected
cells, “re-educate the immune system,” or make cells resist HIV, according to
university researchers. The primary research emphasis of the Drexel team is to
re-educate the immune system and find a “functional cure,” similar to the way
the human immune system controls the chicken pox virus, explained Jeffrey M.
Jacobson, MD. To accomplish this “definitive solution,” the team is attempting
to keep infection from entering cells using antibodies against HIV. The outcome
of the research would be vaccines or immune-based therapies that assist the
immune system in controlling HIV infections.
The Drexel team is also working with
the University of Pennsylvania on research to make cells resistant to HIV
infection. This study focuses on helping HIV-infected patients by loading their
lymphocytes with genes that help the cells resist the virus.
The prevention aspects of the Drexel
team’s efforts include working in the community to identify HIV-infected
individuals and connect them to care or return them to care. Stopping the
spread of HIV/AIDS also focuses on helping individuals with drug and alcohol
problems, which interfere with HIV/AIDS treatment. Jacobson recommended routine
HIV/AIDS testing for people ages 18 to 65. The Drexel HIV/AIDS care program is
the largest in Philadelphia. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, the
program includes a team of clinicians, social workers, psychiatrists,
pharmacists, nutritionists, and other disciplines.
Other HIV/AIDS researchers take a
third approach that is based on interrupting HIV’s replicating cycle by
identifying the cells that contain a latent HIV infection in memory-retaining T
cells.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
