Antiretroviral Therapy Suggested [supplemented With Skin Cancer Drug]

Antiretroviral therapy suggested [supplemented with skin cancer drug]

A drug for skin cancer has been proposed for use in the treatment of HIV infection. Scientists from the United States have found that the drug vorinostat interferes with the work of enzymes, thanks to which HIV hides in the cells of the immune system. Taking the medicine stimulated the vital activity of viruses inside the lymphocytes and, thus, helped to avoid the latent course of the infection.

HIV (red) on the surface of the lymphocyte. Illustration from the site microbiologyonline.org.uk /

The Americans have proposed treating HIV with a drug that is used in the treatment of skin cancer, reports EurekAlert !. The study was conducted by a team led by David Margolis of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The scientists spoke about the results of their work at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections taking place in Seattle. {# Vrez.55546}

Currently, antiretroviral therapy is used to prevent the multiplication of the immunodeficiency virus in the body. However, the drugs used to treat HIV infection do not completely remove the pathogen from affected cells and tissues.

Margolis and his colleagues tested the drug vorinostat, which is used for lymphomas, on six HIV-infected patients. This drug interferes with the work of enzymes from the group of histone deacetylases, thanks to which HIV is hidden in the cells of the immune system (CD4 + T-lymphocytes), which is the reason for the latent course of the infection.

A few hours after taking Vorinostat, all six patients had an increased level of viral RNA in lymphocytes, which indicates the multiplication of HIV. Thus, the scientists managed to stimulate the vital activity of viruses inside the cells of the immune system and avoid the stage of the latent course of HIV infection in patients.