New Drug Shows Promise in Clearing HIV from the Brain

A recent study conducted by Tulane University suggests that an experimental drug, originally developed for cancer treatment, may have the potential to eliminate HIV from infected cells in the brain. Researchers at the Tulane National Primate Research Center have discovered that an anti-cancer drug significantly reduced the levels of SIV (Simian Immunodeficiency Virus) in the brain by targeting and depleting specific virus-carrying immune cells. SIV is the equivalent virus to HIV. This finding, published in the journal Brain, represents a significant advancement in the effort eliminate HIV from difficult-to-reach viral reservoirs.

Dr.Woong-Ki Kim, the lead author of the study and associate director of the Tulane National Primate Research Center, stated,"This research is an important step in addressing the brain-related issues caused by HIV, which continue to impact individuals even when they are receiving effective antiretroviral therapy. By specifically targeting infected cells in the brain, we may be able to eliminate the virus from these hidden areas, which has been a major challenge in HIV treatment."

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a critical component of successful HIV treatment, as it maintains the virus at undetectable levels in the blood and transforms HIV infection from a terminal illness into a manageable condition. However, ART does not completely eradicate HIV, necessitating lifelong treatment. The virus persists in the brain, liver, and lymph nodes, which are inaccessible to antiretroviral therapy.

The researchers focused on macrophages in the brain, a type of white blood cell that harbors HIV. By utilizing the small molecule inhibitor BLZ945 to block the receptors that increase in HIV-infected macrophages, the research team successfully reduced the viral load in the brain. This approach effectively cleared the virus from brain tissue, offering a potential new avenue for HIV treatment.

The study was conducted at the Tulane National Primate Research Center, utilizing three experimental groups to simulate human HIV infection and treatment: one untreated control group and two experimental groups receiving low or high doses of the small molecule inhibitor for 30 days. The high-dose treatment group exhibited a significant reduction of 95-99% in both the number of cells expressing HIV receptor sites and the viral DNA load in the brain. The treatment did not significantly affect the microglial cells responsible for maintaining a healthy neuroimmune environment, and no signs of hepatotoxicity were observed at the tested doses.

The next step for the research team is to test this therapy in combination with antiretroviral treatment to evaluate its efficacy in a combined therapeutic approach. This could pave the way for a more comprehensive strategy aimed at completely eradicating HIV from the body.