Researchers Develop Compound To Eradicate Virus

Reuters/Yorgos Karahalis

A drug user gives a blood sample for an HIV test inside a clinic in Athens November 25, 2013.

Considering the many threats that the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes to people’s health, researchers are hard at work in discovering a cure. Given that a suppressor has already been found, the next goal seems to be completely eradicating the virus in order to restore victims to full functionality and health.

Recent reports have revealed that a team of researchers from Kumamoto University in Japan may have just achieved a breakthrough.

According to the study, the compound being used is called L-HIPPO, which captures the HIV-1 protein. In doing so, the compound is able to relocate the virus from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane.

Termed as the “lock-in and apoptosis” method to eradicating HIV, the use of L-HIPPO lets the virus die a natural death, which is a process known as apoptosis. Although side effects of the compound are yet to be mentioned, the researchers emphasized that this might be a promising step toward making a cure for the deadly syndrome.

“Unfortunately, this approach is not immediately available for people infected with HIV,” said Associate Professor Mikako Fujita of Kumamoto University, one of the leaders of the study, as reported by Medical Express. “First, we have to improve upon the drugs that activate the virus and combine them with L-HIPPO to efficiently target the viral reservoir. This would be a big step towards a complete recovery from HIV. We believe that our research will help to completely eradicate AIDS.”

Researchers also mentioned that the L-HIPPO compound might be available for oral medication. Though it is still undergoing trials and further investigations, this study has been lauded by the medical community.

Considering that research relies heavily on budgets, those who would like to further the cause can find ways to help by looking for fundraiser and charity events. Regardless, the researchers remain hopeful that this is a method that will succeed.