explore
BALTIMORE — An ambitious effort to cure HIV with CRISPR genome editing fell short in an early clinical trial, investigators announced Friday morning.
In the study, run by Excision BioTherapeutics, researchers tried to use the gene editing tool to address a chief reason HIV has been so hard to cure. While antiviral drugs can clear patients of replicating virus, HIV is able to worm its way into a patients’ own DNA in certain cells. If the patient ever stops taking medicines, those cells start pumping out HIV particles and the infection roars back.
advertisement
Researchers hoped they could send CRISPR to those cells and, by cutting the HIV DNA lurking there at two spots, slice out the virus. In the Phase 1 trial, investigators administered the treatment to five patients. They then took three of them off conventional antiviral treatment.
STAT+ Exclusive Story
Already have an account? Log in
This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers
Unlock this article — plus daily coverage and analysis of the biotech sector — by subscribing to STAT+.
Already have an account? Log in
Already have an account? Log in
Monthly
$39
Totals $468 per year
$39/month Get StartedTotals $468 per year
Starter
$30
for 3 months, then $39/month
$30 for 3 months Get StartedThen $39/month
Annual
$399
Save 15%
$399/year Get StartedSave 15%
11+ Users
Custom
Savings start at 25%!
Request A Quote Request A QuoteSavings start at 25%!
2-10 Users
$300
Annually per user
$300/year Get Started$300 Annually per user
View All Plans
Get unlimited access to award-winning journalism and exclusive events.
Subscribe Log In
