Good news- Scientists have developed an antibody capable of drastically reducing HIV viral load.
The newly discovered antibody, 3BNC117, is a clone of a naturally occurring antibody in people who have been infected with HIV for a long period.
When a person is infected with HIV, the body's defence (antibodies) cannot stop it from spreading because HIV keeps mutating- changing its form so it is unrecognizable to the antibodies meant to destroy it.
The cloned antibody is able to catch HIV off guard and belongs to a new generation of broadly neutralizing antibodies that potently fight a wide range of HIV strains.
In eight patients given the highest dose of antibodies, the amount of HIV in their blood systems dropped 300-fold without any apparent side effects. The patients were monitored for 56 days after receiving the therapy.
Scientists are optimistic a vaccine for HIV will soon be made.
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