One step closer to a cure for AIDS

AIDS is a devastating disease that 2 million people die from every year. So far, no successful cure has been found but doctors in Berlin, Germany are hopeful after curing a man of the AIDS virus by an unlikely source. The patient, an American living in Berlin had contracted the virus yet also had leukemia. When his conditions with leukemia worsened the doctors performed a bone marrow transplant. He had to stop treatment of his AIDS medication to continue with the transplant. The stem cells from the transplanted marrow contained genes resistant to the virus. The cells contained a rare genetic mutation known as CCRS, which keeps the virus from attaching to infected cells. To the doctors surprise, after 20 months not only was the patient free of leukemia but there was also no trace of AIDS. Although the doctors stressed that this cannot become a regular treatment for AIDS, many are hopeful that this will open doors to new possibilities in gene therapy and move one step closer to a cure. Many are researching this case to find answers to possible cures. While a cure might not be here today, one may be looming around the corner.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/11/14/2420169.htm?section=world