ART or Antiretroviral Therapy and other experimental antibodies have been tested on monkeys infected with HIV by United States scientists in varying drug combinations. The newest ingredient in this concoction could be the key in curing this deadly disease.

According to Doctor Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, mixing the ART with an experimental antibody with close similarities to the Takeda Pharmaceutical's Entyvio (vedolizumab) has resulted in a boost in monkey's immune systems, rendering the virus into sustained remission.

News Everyday reports that since the published article on Journal Science since October 13, this improved ART helps diminish the effects of HIV, provided that the drugs are taken and maintained everyday in order to remain effective.

In another report by The Guardian, a human patient voluntarily tested on this new treatment has had remarkable progress, showing signs of a boosted immune system. Scientists warn, however, that although initial results seem promising, they must study this patient for longer to see if the HIV is totally gone after a long continuous intake period, or it is just laying dormant in the patient's body.

In past tests of a similar nature, HIV cells were found to be able to hide in dormant cells, as a way of avoiding the body's boosted immune system, being able to resist the restorative effects of therapy. This new strain tricks the virus into coming out from dormant cells while simultaneously setting the body's immune system on a hunt for these cells. Scientists have called this approach "kick and kill".

National Institute for Health Research Office for Clinical Research Infrastructure Managing Director Mark Samuels says that the test is "one of the first serious attempts at a full cure for HIV." In addition, he says that these scientists and researchers are expecting a real possibility of curing HIV. "This is a huge challenge and it's still early days but the progress has been remarkable."

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