Acne Drug Prevents HIV Breakout

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Scientists at Johns Hopkins have found that an antibiotic that has been used since the 70s for acne treatment also targets HIV. This drug, minocycline, is a safe and inexpensive antibiotic that targets infected immune cells in which HIV lies dormant and prevents them from reactivating and replicating. It is believed that minocycline can improve the current treatment of HIV when combined with other drugs such as HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy). According to Janice Clements of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, "The powerful advantage to using minocycline is that the virus appears less able to develop drug resistance because minocycline targets cellular pathways not viral proteins." The drug was first tested in monkeys infected with SIV, the primate version HIV, and then tested in test tubes against HIV. Minocycline reduces the ability of T cells to activate and proliferate, which are two crucial steps to HIV production and progression toward full blown AIDS.

I think this sounds very promising! It's not a cure, but it is certainly one step closer. The more we find out, the closer we get. HIV is such a scary problem and it seems as though help can not come soon enough.