Researchers Investigate Potential Treatment for Eliminating HIV from the Brain

Despite advancements in antiretroviral medications, HIV remains a significant health challenge due to its ability to hide in dormant states. A recent study funded by NIMH tested a new drug, BLZ945, which targets macrophages—immune cells that facilitate HIV proliferation in the brain. Conducted by Dr. Woong-Ki Kim and colleagues, the study demonstrated that treatment with BLZ945 led to decreased macrophage levels in primates infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), resulting in lower brain-based SIV levels, indicating the potential for more effective HIV treatments.

The NIMH-funded study led by Woong-Ki Kim, Ph.D., shows that targeting macrophages with BLZ945 could potentially reduce HIV presence in the brain, offering a new treatment avenue.

While antiretroviral medications help manage HIV, they have not yet led to a complete cure, primarily due to the virus's ability to hide in dormant states.

Read at National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)