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[Matland]

DOUBLE HIV BLOCK BY GENE TRANSFER
8 hours ago
Doherty Institute
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A bold study to make cells resistant to HIV is now recruiting in Sydney. Researchers from the Kirby Institute have paired with the HIV biotech firm, Calimmune, to conduct a small human study of chemotherapy in conjunction with CAL-1.

CAL-1, otherwise known as LVsh5/C46, is basically an inactive virus that has two effects once it gets inside host cells. The first effect is to remove CCR5, the co-receptor found on the surface of white blood cells that helps HIV infect those cells. People who are naturally deficient in CCR5 are resistant to HIV infection. The second effect of CAL-1 is on HIV itself, by blocking some of the critical interactions between the virus and the cell it is trying to infect. The study will measure how well the CAL-1 treatment works, how long the treated cells can be detected in the body of trial participants and whether the treated cells have an effect on HIV levels when participants have a period off treatment.

For the study, participants have both bone-marrow stem cells and CD4+ T cells collected by leukapheresis after being given drugs that encourage bone marrow cells to move into the blood stream. The collected cells are then taken to a specialised laboratory where they are treated with CAL-1 and grown for a short period to increase their number. Participants are then administered a chemotherapy drug to prepare them for the re-infusion of the CAL-1 treated cells. The CAL-1 treated cells are then given as a one-off event and the participants monitored regularly for 6 months. Participants would then be taken off ART to see if the CAL-1 treated cells can control the infection on their own.

[leatherman]

this post needs a better title

like "study recruiting in Sydney"

[Matland]

this post needs a better title

like "study recruiting in Sydney"

Sorry my english is A bit poor

[Cosmicdancer]

Here's the link to that article.

http://hivcure.com.au/2016/05/16/study-attempts-double-hiv-block-by-gene-transfer/

[geobee]

I just got an email re: recruiting for this trial in San Francisco -- from Dr. Jay Lalezari, Quest Clinical Research:

Dear Quest Email Recipients,

Following on the successful cure of the "Berlin patient”, Quest research is conducting a study to see whether HIV can be eradicated following gene modification of a person’s own blood stem cells.

The general inclusion criteria include age < 70 years old, a T cell count less than 700, and an undetectable HIV viral load for past 6 months on stable ARV therapy.

Please note that 2 visits down to LA (at City of Hope Hospital-all expenses paid) will be required including a 1 month stay following receipt of the gene modified stem cells.

We are now open for screening and invite anyone who is interested to set up a time to meet with me in person and discuss in detail. Please email me or call Cooper at 415-353-0800 to schedule the appt.

Here’s hoping...
With Gratitude,

Dr Jay
Quest Research
415-353-0800

[Hoyland]

Are you sure the invitation is for this Calimmune trial in Australia and not the UC Davis trial that is due to begin shortly?