A groundbreaking study from Tulane University has revealed that an experimental cancer drug may hold the key to clearing HIV from infected cells in the brain. This discovery, published in the journal Brain, marks a significant step forward in the fight against HIV and its associated neurological complications. 

Key Findings 

Researchers at the Tulane National Primate Research Center found that a cancer drug significantly reduced levels of SIV (the nonhuman primate equivalent of HIV) in the brain. The drug works by targeting and depleting specific immune cells that harbor the virus. 

Dr. Woong-Ki Kim, lead author and associate director for research at the center, emphasized the importance of this research in addressing brain-related issues caused by HIV, which persist even in patients on effective antiretroviral therapy (ART). 

Why This Matters 

While ART has transformed HIV from a terminal illness to a manageable condition, it doesn’t completely eradicate the virus. HIV persists in “viral reservoirs” in the brain, liver, and lymph nodes, where current treatments struggle to reach. The brain, protected by the blood-brain barrier, has been particularly challenging to treat. 

The Study 

The research team used a small molecule inhibitor called BLZ945 to block a receptor that increases HIV-infected macrophages in the brain. This approach successfully reduced the viral load, essentially clearing the virus from brain tissue. The study involved three groups of subjects, including an untreated control group and two groups treated with different doses of BLZ945. The high-dose treatment led to a 95-99% decrease in viral DNA loads in the brain. 

Looking Ahead 

The next step for researchers is to test this therapy in combination with ART, potentially paving the way for more comprehensive strategies to eradicate HIV from the body entirely. This study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, offers new hope for improving the quality of life for those living with HIV-related neurocognitive problems. As we continue to make strides in HIV treatment, this Tulane study represents a promising step towards tackling one of the most persistent challenges in HIV care – clearing the virus from its hard-to-reach reservoirs in the brain.