Scientists from Leibniz Institute for Primate Research developed an effective treatment for Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) with monkey's help. SIV is related to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Scientists consider SIV as the cause for HIV, Science Daily reported.
The scientists from Leibniz Institute for Primate Research treated Rhesus Macaque, an old world monkey, with the Vedolizumab antibody for 23 weeks. Upon examination, they found almost no trace of the virus on the blood of the monkeys.
This antibody has been available for the market since 2014 in United States and Europe. It's used to treat Chrohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Lutz Walter, one of the researchers, explained that they believe that an antiretroviral therapy with Vedolizumab can be a new treatment to HIV for humans.
"This will be a breakthrough for HIV patients," Walter explained.
Science Alert reported that after two years of treatment they found that the viral load remained low and the immune system remained intact.
The monkeys were healthy and they are in sustained remission, they explained. Aftab Ansari from Emory University School of Medicine explained that the finding could be an alternative therapy for HIV.
The researchers explained that Antiretroviral drugs is the most common treatment for HIV treatments. However, it can't remove HIV from the body and must be taken permanently.
They also explained that this drug has side effects like chronic inflammation, poisoning and accelerated ageing. They also said that's the reason why researchers includes antibodies for long lasting result.
Researchers also added that for years they have been trying to develop an antibody to fight HIV, but most of them have short-term effects. They require constant antibody injections.
"HIV is a master of disguise," they stressed.
Walter said that with this study they would want to find a new therapeutic approach for immunodeficiency viruses.
"We would want to prevent virus proliferation after temporary application," he concluded.
