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View Full Version : Two more men with HIV now virus-free. Is this a cure?



NotoriousTIMP
07-27-2012, 03:33 AM
Let's hope this really leads to further developments in finding a cure


NBC News
Two men unlucky enough to get both HIV and cancer have been seemingly cleared of the virus, raising hope that science may yet find a way to cure for the infection that causes AIDS, 30 years into the epidemic.



Click here for full story (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48338421/ns/health-mens_health/?__utma=14933801.1045284549.1342797367.1343316474. 1343350667.15&__utmb=14933801.1.10.1343350667&__utmc=14933801&__utmx=-&__utmz=14933801.1342797367.1.1.utmcsr%3D%28direct% 29%7Cutmccn%3D%28direct%29%7Cutmcmd%3D%28none%29&__utmv=14933801.%7C8%3DEarned+By%3Dmsnbc%7Ccover%3 D1%5E12%3DLanding+Content%3DMixed%3D1%5E13%3DLandi ng+Hostname%3Dwww.nbcnews.com%3D1%5E30%3DVisit+Typ e+to+Content%3DEarned+to+Mixed%3D1&__utmk=182687398#.UBHx8WFfFfZ)

Leman Russ
07-27-2012, 08:08 AM
This certainly is promising. Hopefully it will lead to something able to cure everyone of this horrible disease.

Sutekh
07-27-2012, 08:24 AM
It's a huge step but it's not 100%, the Berlin patient still has traces in his system. Also bone marrow transplants are pretty bad for you, more than 2 would = serious brain damage. But then Chemo is not exactly elegant but is still used, maybe they could find a way of lowering the impact

but yes certainly some wonderful developments, Berlin guy in particular... imagine having HIV since 1985, then developing blood cancer... then being free of both!

Fixer808
07-27-2012, 08:42 PM
imagine having HIV since 1985, then developing blood cancer... then being free of both!
"Shit, I shouldn't have done that string of 'I got nothin' to lose' international art heists..."

slave2thewage
07-28-2012, 08:29 AM
So, basically you'd have to get cancer and THEN get a bone marrow transplant? Shit, I think I'll hang onto my condoms then.

Sutekh
07-28-2012, 05:38 PM
You don't need cancer, just a bone marrow transplant. We have to be cautiously optimistic though because HIV is crafty, it can hide away in nerve tissue like the herpes simplex/cold sore virus does. Some people - known as select/elite controllers can keep it down for years. The question is, was he cured - or transformed into a elite controller? The donor had a mutation that stopped HIV cells from any further binding to host receptors - but ones that are already embedded may have survived

either way, it is still amazing news!