Can HIV be used to cure leukemia?

  • Medical
  • Thread starter fourier jr
  • Start date
In summary, a new treatment for cancer has been developed by modifying patients' T cells to target tumor cells through a gene modification technique. The modified cells are then infused back into the patient's body to focus their killing activity on cancer cells. This method has shown promise in treating CLL and ALL tumors without causing significant side effects. The use of a HIV-derived lentivirus vector as a delivery vehicle has sparked excitement and media attention, but it is noted that other methods could have been used as well. The potential of using HIV in this way is considered groundbreaking and reminiscent of the use of a bone marrow transplant from an HIV-resistant donor to cure HIV infection.
  • #1
fourier jr
765
13
This is pretty incredible:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbNSG80B12Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iw-12Qf3bM4

If anyone knows the details why not give them here
 
Biology news on Phys.org
  • #2
The protocol for the new treatment involves removing patients' cells through an apheresis process similar to blood donation, and modifying them in Penn's cell and vaccine production facility. Scientists there reprogram the patients' T cells to target tumor cells through a gene modification technique using a HIV-derived lentivirus vector. The vector encodes an antibody-like protein, called a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), which is expressed on the surface of the T cells and designed to bind to a protein called CD19.

The modified cells are then infused back into the patient's body following lymphodepleting chemotherapy. Once the T cells start expressing the CAR, they focus all of their killing activity on cells that express CD19, which includes CLL and ALL tumor cells, and normal B cells. All of the other cells in the patient that do not express CD19 are ignored by the modified T cells, which limits systemic side effects typically experienced during traditional therapies.
continued...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121210080837.htm
 
  • #3
Oh my god, that's amazing!
 
  • #4
The next age in medicine will be very exciting. I bet just 10 years ago listening to this story would seem like science fiction!
 
  • #5
the media hype over “HIV” based cancer therapies is misleading – the lentivirus used was really only a gene delivery vehicle (in theory, other non-viral based methods could have been used just as easily)
 
  • #7
gravenewworld said:
the media hype over “HIV” based cancer therapies is misleading – the lentivirus used was really only a gene delivery vehicle (in theory, other non-viral based methods could have been used just as easily)
Exactly, with the exception that HIV targets T-cells and is thus the logical choice of virus for the cell type.
 
  • #8
Monique said:
Exactly, with the exception that HIV targets T-cells and is thus the logical choice of virus for the cell type.

It's exciting because it's the HIV virus and not some other virus no one knows about really. We've taken a widespread and terrible disease and used it against another disease. That's exciting! Similarly discovering an exoplanet in the Alpha Centauri system shouldn't have been that exciting. After all, we've discovered hundreds already and this one isn't much different. But the fact that it's the closest star system to our own MAKES IT EXCITING!
 
  • #9
It's great how excited you are :biggrin:
And I agree it is, good science is always exciting. This sure is a good way to get funding for a project, "I'm going to use HIV to cure cancer".
 
  • #10
t_cells.png

https://xkcd.com/938/
 
  • #11
haha :smile:
 
  • #12
Hahaha!
 
  • #13
It is ironic, since a bone marrow transplant(to treat leukemia) from an HIV-resistant donor is the only means by which an HIV infection has been cured.
 

What is HIV used to treat leukemia?

HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is a virus that weakens the immune system. It is used to treat leukemia, a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, by modifying the patient's immune cells to target and kill cancer cells.

How does HIV treat leukemia?

HIV is used in a process called chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. In this treatment, the patient's own immune cells are extracted and genetically modified to produce CARs, which are proteins that can identify and attack cancer cells. These modified immune cells are then infused back into the patient's body to fight the leukemia.

Is it safe to use HIV to treat leukemia?

CAR T-cell therapy using HIV has been proven to be safe and effective in treating certain types of leukemia. However, like any medical procedure, there are potential risks and side effects, including cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine if this treatment is right for an individual patient.

What are the benefits of using HIV to treat leukemia?

HIV has been found to be highly effective in treating certain types of leukemia, particularly in patients who have not responded to other treatments. It also has the potential to provide long-term remission for some patients. Additionally, CAR T-cell therapy using HIV has shown to have minimal impact on healthy cells and tissues, reducing the risk of long-term side effects.

Are there any alternative treatments to using HIV for leukemia?

There are other types of CAR T-cell therapy that do not use HIV, such as using a modified version of the patient's own immune cells. Other treatments for leukemia include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell transplant. The best treatment option will depend on the individual patient's condition and needs, and should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

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