Israeli, U.S. researchers develop genetic treatment for HIV by injection

Israeli and U.S. researchers have developed an injection therapy for HIV, using genetic engineering of antibodies inside the body, Tel Aviv University (TAU) said Monday.

The new treatment may be developed into a vaccine or a one-time treatment for patients with HIV, according to TAU.

In a study published in the journal Nature Biotechnology, TAU researchers and their colleagues genetically engineered B-type white blood cells to secrete HIV antibodies in response to the virus.

In contrast to common genetic methods, in which cells are engineered outside the body, the team engineered the B cells inside the bodies of mice and described the new method as fast, potent, cost-effective and safe.

"When the engineered B cells encounter the virus, it stimulates and encourages them to divide, so we are utilizing the very cause of the disease to combat it," explained TAU researcher Adi Barzel.

"Furthermore, if the virus changes, the B cells will also change accordingly to combat it, so we have created the first medication ever that can evolve in the body and defeat viruses in the 'arms race,'" he added.

"In this way, we will probably be able to produce a medication for additional infectious diseases and for certain types of cancer caused by a virus," he concluded.