 |
|
U of M researchers discover new method to combat HIV
July 24, 2007Researchers at the University of Minnesota's Center for Drug Design have developed a new method to combat HIV/AIDS, potentially replacing the traditional cocktail drug approach.
The new approach - proven accurate in lab tests - merges the features of two antiviral agents into one drug, achieving the same effect as when two or more drugs are taken separately. The cocktail approach most commonly prescribed to HIV-infected patients is expensive and high in toxicity because many drugs are taken at one time.
The researchers named the new concept Portmanteau Inhibitors, and the results were published in a July 4 issue of the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. The principal researcher is Robert Vince, Ph.D., director of the center and a professor of medicinal chemistry in the College of Pharmacy.
"It's one drug that does the same thing as two independent drugs would do," Vince said. "It's a new approach in HIV/AIDS treatment."
Besides remedying cost and toxicity problems, a Portmanteau Inhibitor is less likely to develop resistance from the virus because of its multifaceted approach. Most importantly, research found that the separate components of the drug did not interfere with each other while attacking HIV.
"One drug is not durable. It develops resistance very quickly," said Zhenqiang Wang, Ph.D., a researcher in the Center for Drug Design, and co-investigator of the research. "This makes it much more difficult for resistance to develop."
The next step will be more research and testing to see how the drug reacts once distributed in the body. But, preliminary research and confirmation of the new concept shows promise because the quality of life for AIDS patients hinges on low costing medication and minimal side effects, Wang said.
"It's huge," he said. "This concept could lead to a replacement for the cocktail treatment."
University of Minnesota
"It's one drug that does the same thing as two independent drugs would do," Vince said. "It's a new approach in HIV/AIDS treatment."
Besides remedying cost and toxicity problems, a Portmanteau Inhibitor is less likely to develop resistance from the virus because of its multifaceted approach. Most importantly, research found that the separate components of the drug did not interfere with each other while attacking HIV.
"One drug is not durable. It develops resistance very quickly," said Zhenqiang Wang, Ph.D., a researcher in the Center for Drug Design, and co-investigator of the research. "This makes it much more difficult for resistance to develop."
The next step will be more research and testing to see how the drug reacts once distributed in the body. But, preliminary research and confirmation of the new concept shows promise because the quality of life for AIDS patients hinges on low costing medication and minimal side effects, Wang said.
"It's huge," he said. "This concept could lead to a replacement for the cocktail treatment."
University of Minnesota
HIV Current Events and HIV News RSSMore at-risk teens and young adults engaging in anal intercourse
A new study by researchers at the Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center suggests that the incidence of heterosexual anal sex is increasing among teens and young adults - particularly those who have recently had unprotected vaginal sex.
Landmark study defines benefits of early HIV testing and treatment for infected infants
Testing very young babies for HIV and giving antiretroviral therapy (ART) immediately to those found infected with the virus dramatically prevents illness and death, according to a report in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Stopping germs from ganging up on humans
Keeping germs from cooperating can delay the evolution of drug resistance more effectively than killing germs one by one with traditional drugs such as antibiotics, according to new research from The University of Arizona in Tucson.
First Holistic Guide to Primate Disease Covers Critical Gap in Global Health
Why are so many infectious diseases jumping from animals to humans? Why do we have so little capacity to predict epidemics, or avoid them?
Applying 'supply and demand' business principles to treat infectious diseases worldwide
Treating infectious diseases while meeting escalating costs to do so continues to pose worldwide challenges, with one of the main issues being the ability to provide an adequate supply of drugs to treat infectious diseases.
New gene silencing pathway found in plants
Biologists at Washington University in St. Louis have made major headway in explaining a mechanism by which plant cells silence potentially harmful genes.
Study finds Canada's supervised injection facility cost-effective
Canada's only supervised injection facility is extending lives and saving the health-care system millions of dollars, a new study shows.
Results of landmark study of HIV vaccine published in the Lancet
Results from the Step study, a test-of-concept efficacy study of a Merck & Co., Inc. HIV vaccine candidate, were published online today in two papers in The Lancet. These analyses of the Step study are being conducted, presented and published to inform the continued search for an effective HIV vaccine.
Who has sex with whom? Study of heterosexual partnerships reveals worryingly low condom use
A high proportion of people are not using condoms when they have sex with a new partner, according to a new study of heterosexual partnerships among British men and women. Among people in their 30s and 40s, and in partnerships where there is an age difference of five or more years, condom use is particularly low.
Purdue researcher invents molecule that stops SARS
A Purdue University researcher has created a compound that prevents replication of the virus that causes SARS and could lead to a treatment for the disease.
More HIV Current Events and HIV News Articles
 | 100 Questions and Answers About HIV and AIDS by Joel Gallant |
 | The Cure For HIV / AIDS by Hulda, R. Clark Including new research and findings showing what the true causes of HIV & AIDS are and lead directly to their cure! 53 CURED Cases The First Year Cure, not treatment, is the subject of this book. In 1991 Dr Clark discovered the source of HIV. Once the source became clear the cure became obvious. but would it work? After curing 53 cases in a row, all who used this method, Dr Clark could wait no... |
 | The First Year: HIV: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (First Year, The) by Brett Grodeck This supportive resource explores the next generation of HIV/AIDS drugs and also includes new research on HIV and crystal meth, as well as new insights for the hardest hit population — African... |
 | The Guide to Living with HIV Infection: Developed at the Johns Hopkins AIDS Clinic (A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book) by John G. Bartlett, Ann K. Finkbeiner The Guide to Living with HIV Infection is the most complete source of medical, emotional, social, and practical advice available for those infected with HIV and their loved ones. Developed at the Johns Hopkins AIDS Clinic, the guide provides essential information for making decisions about treatment and testing in a world transformed by new research and pharmacotherapy.In this thoroughly updated... |
 | The Naked Truth: Young, Beautiful, and (HIV) Positive by Marvelyn Brown, Courtney Martin The surprisingly hopeful story of how a straight, nonpromiscuous, everyday girl contracted HIV and how she manages to stay upbeat, inspired, and more positive about life than ever before At nineteen years of age, Marvelyn Brown was lying in a stark white hospital bed at Tennessee Christian Medical Center, feeling hopeless. A former top track and basketball athlete, she was in the best shape of... |
 | The Sanford Guide to HIV/AIDS Therapy 2009 (Sanford Guide) by Jay P. Sanford |
 | HIV/AIDS: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) by Alan Whiteside HIV/AIDS is without doubt the worst epidemic to hit humankind since the Black Death. As of 2004 an estimated 40 million people were living with the disease, and about 20 million had died. Despite rapid scientific advances there is still no cure and the drugs are expensive and toxic. In the developing world, especially in parts of Africa, life expectancy has plummeted to below 35 years, causing... |
| Medical Management Of HIV Infection 2007 by John G. Bartlett, Joel E., M.D. Gallant | |
 | Healing HIV: How To Rebuild Your Immune System by Jon D., M.D. Kaiser, Jon D. Kaiser |
 | HIV/AIDS and Society in South Africa We have not yet unravelled how HIV/AIDS is changing South Africa's social fabric, despite the fact that over 5 million South Africans are living with the virus. Do we know how HIV/AIDS may affect different sectors of society, possibly altering the course set for development? Is it possible that the way in which the epidemic is being fought - through health and human rights activism - is adjusting... |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |