Ray of hope as new vaccine ‘cures’ five Aids patients in seven months

There is hope for over 37 million people infected with HIV globally after five people were reported to be virus-free after undergoing treatment. According to a study published in New Scientist, a new vaccine allowed the patients to stop taking regular antiretroviral (ARV) drugs – the current method of suppressing HIV – and they were introduced to vaccines that were able to eliminate HIV cells. The study announced that the five patients were free of HIV seven months after they were put on the treatment. The researchers say the vaccine works by teaching the human immune system to control the disease without needing medication, calling it a “functional cure”. The study included 13 participants who had taken ARVs for close to three years on average – all within six months of being infected. The researchers theorised that although the drugs kept down HIV levels, they limited the virus’ ability to integrate into their chromosomes,...