Can a Novel Therapy Hold HIV in Check?

Scientists at the Research Institute for Genetic and Human Therapy in Washington, D.C., report that they may have developed an HIV therapeutic approach, called 'virostatic therapy,' that uses just Videx EC and low doses of hydroxyurea to suppress HIV replication. In study data reported in the July issue of the journal < i>AIDS, the researchers say that giving a 600-milligram dose of hydroxyurea instead of a previously tested 1,200-milligram dose along with the anti-HIV drug appears to deliver a one-two punch in controlling HIV infection. Both suppress HIV's ability to copy itself and prevent the activation of infected CD4 cells, keeping the virus inside locked in a dormant, noninfectious state. The therapeutic approach produced pronounced increases in CD4 counts after 24 weeks of treatment and lowered HIV viral levels by nearly 99%, the researchers report. 'We are working to develop the virostatic combination as a single pill, which may offer the advantage of convenient dosing as well as durable efficacy, better tolerability, and a favorable resistance profile,' says lead study author and institute codirector Franco Lori.