Scientists say they can cut HIV out of cells

Scientists say they have, using Crispr gene-editing technology, been able to eliminate HIV from infected cells. 

The Nobel Prize-winning technology works like scissors, but at the molecular level, cutting DNA so “bad” bits can be removed or inactivated. 

The long-term goal is to rid the body entirely of the virus, although much more work is needed to check it would be safe and effective. 

Existing HIV medicines can stop the virus but not eliminate it. 

This week, the University of Amsterdam team presented a synopsis of their early findings at a medical conference. They stressed their work remains merely “proof of concept” and will not become a cure for HIV any time soon. 

And Dr James Dixon, stem-cell and gene-therapy technologies associate professor at the University of Nottingham, agrees, saying the full findings still require scrutiny.

“Much more work will be needed to demonstrate results in these cell assays can happen in an entire body for a future therapy,” he said.

“There will be much more development needed before this could have impact on those with HIV.”