Switching off genes fights HIV without drugs

Encouraging new research involving drugs and a genetic theapy has put the focus on potentially eradicating HIV.  Professor David Cooper, director of Australia's National Centre for HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, said that ...new drugs, new strategies mean we are talking about eradication … and that's very exciting."

Many of the newest generation HIV drugs are so strong that they can almost eliminate the virus on their own.  Although there are more than 20 antiretroviral treatments on the market one of the newest classes of drugs called "Integrase Inhibitors" which essentially block the HIV Virus from infecting new cells is the most exciting.  Experimental gene therapy is also being researched where infected cells are essentially switched off, providing those with the Virus an althernate way to control their condition without drugs.

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