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Groundbreaking new HIV vaccine could give people hope
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
The principle of action of all modern vaccines is aimed at preparing the human immune system to meet viruses or infections. In California, specialists from Scripps University decided to change tactics in developing a vaccine against HIV and changed the DNA of monkeys in such a way as to make the cells more resistant to the human immunodeficiency virus. The research group itself notes that their work is an important achievement and in the near future, specialists hope to conduct tests with the participation of volunteers. According to independent experts, one can expect quite high results from such an experiment.
In their work, the research group used a gene therapy method based on the implantation of new DNA into healthy cells. DNA contains a kind of "instruction" that directs the body to produce factors to destroy the immunodeficiency virus. Such factors will subsequently constantly enter the human bloodstream.
As stated in the report article, experiments on monkeys showed good results – all primates were completely protected from all types of the immunodeficiency virus for eight months.
According to experts, the protection works even if the level of the virus in the blood is very high, i.e. the vaccine will be able to help people who are already carriers of the dangerous virus.
The new vaccine is expected to help treat patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
The head of the research project, Michael Fersen, noted that the method developed by his team for creating an HIV vaccine is currently the most effective, but in order to draw a final conclusion, a series of further studies will need to be conducted, including experiments on people, to confirm their safety.
It is quite difficult to develop a vaccine against HIV, since the virus constantly mutates. For the same reason, it is not possible to "force" the immune system to produce a certain type of antibodies.
But a new method of vaccine production may well provide good protection. The principle of the new method is that, due to new DNA, the body constantly produces artificial cells that will destroy the immunodeficiency virus. But now experts cannot say how the body will react to such interference in its work.
The team of researchers is now seeking permission to conduct an experiment involving HIV-infected patients who, for various reasons, cannot undergo standard treatment.
A complex regimen, expensive drugs, and a huge number of side effects are the main drawbacks of modern HIV therapy, which can slow down the progression of the disease. This is why experts advocate conducting an experiment involving people.
The authors of the new method are proud that they have managed to come closer to solving the HIV problem, one of the most pressing today. The developers assume that in the near future a drug will appear that will prevent infection with the immunodeficiency virus, and in already infected patients will lead to stable remission.
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