Like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), blood cancer is a serious threat to an individual’s life. Interestingly, a recent study has found that the drug utilized in treating this condition might also hold the important thing to curing the previous.

The drug in query is known as venetoclax, and it could actually be repurposed and used to deal with HIV infection, in accordance with the Australian researchers behind the groundbreaking study led by Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) and The Peter Doherty Institute.

Furthermore, the drug has been found to focus on dormant or “hibernating” HIV cells, that are liable for latent infections. These latent HIV cells can hide in a patient’s system, even when the virus isn’t actively replicating, they usually are a serious reason why HIV patients require life-long treatment.

In a media release, study co-first writer Dr. Philip Arandjelovic of WEHI said this particular drug sparks promise for achieving a latest feat in HIV research because “in attacking dormant HIV cells and delaying viral rebound, venetoclax has shown promise beyond that of currently approved treatments.”

“Every achievement in delaying this virus from returning brings us closer to stopping the disease from reemerging in people living with HIV. Our findings are hopefully a step towards this goal,” Arandjelovic added.

The research has global significance, with 39 million people diagnosed with HIV worldwide. In Australia, specifically, 98% of HIV-positive individuals maintain undetectable virus levels through continuous Antiretroviral therapy (ART), but stopping treatment rapidly reactivates dormant HIV cells. This underscores the crucial importance of consistent HIV treatment.

“This means that venetoclax is selectively killing the infected cells, which depend on key proteins to survive. Venetoclax has the power to antagonize one in all the important thing survival proteins,” said study co-first writer Dr. Youry Kim of the University of Melbourne, in accordance with the news release.

The researchers now plan to maneuver their findings to clinical trials.

Published by Medicaldaily.com