DNA vaccines, a glimmer of hope in eliminating HIV and liver cancer

Although HIV treatment remains the exception rather than the rule, significant progress has been made in vaccine research, especially those that use DNA as the main ingredient. at the same time, Hepatocellular carcinomaHepatocellular carcinomaIt is an aggressive form of liver cancer and one of the deadliest cancers in the world, and is also the focus of this pioneering research. These studies have tested innovative DNA vaccines against these two devastating diseases and the initial results have been very promising. It was published in the magazine Molecular therapy with nucleic acids.

Very promising results for HIV and…

The principle of vaccines Nucleic acidsNucleic acids It is based on a strategy where the organism manufactures itselfantigenantigen Targeted. This production begins to createAntibodyAntibody Specific as part of the adaptive immune response. The main challenge in this process is placing the DNA in the right place in the cell. It was necessary to develop a new carrier, a means of transportation. Vector 704 was designed by the authors. It was tested in two contexts SatisfyingSatisfying Featured: HIV infection in mice and liver cancer in macaques.

In mice, the use of vector 704 and the appropriate DNA sequence stimulated a strong immune response, generating antibodies that prevent the HIV-HIV interaction. proteinprotein CD4 from LymphocytesLymphocytes. The next step will be to test the safety of the HIV vaccine PrimatesPrimates.

…for liver cancer

Regarding hepatocellular carcinoma, the vector has proven effective in macaques that present an immunological profile similar to that found in patients suffering from this cancer. Thanks to vector 704, an intense innate immune response was stimulated, resulting in the production of specific antibodies and lymphocytes.

These encouraging results pave the way for Clinical testsClinical tests On humans starting next year. Moreover, this approach, which is highly adaptable and easy to produce, can be applied to other infectious diseases or… DiseasesDiseases Which requires activation immune systemimmune system.