Not sure about the first half of the report, but I am familiar with the Berlin patient. When the announced the other two patients who underwent cancer treatment, (Bone marrow transplant) it was within a few days that doctors who were not wanting to jump to conclusions and call it a "cure" were trying to figure out (in essence) a safer and less painful way to administer a similar treatment. Keep our fingers crossed! A "cure" may be within the next few years!

Interesting feedback, I think the researchers are make some progress in the "cure" research. Here is another article just published yesterday on "gene therapy."

http://nhpr.org/post/step-forward-gene-therapy-treat-hiv

Asian
This is a very interesting article.
I have to ask why after 16 fricken years why the rest of us have not got to try this???

It doesn't say if any HIV viral is still there.These people are still taking their antiviral drugs, My question is why?
If the engineered T cells are there and the patients are still on antiviral drugs what does this prove? That they don't cause cancer?
OK what are we waiting on?

If they stop taking the antiviral drugs then we would know if it works.
Something wrong with this picture..

The main point in the article I posted was that these patients stopped their antiviral meds after being on them for 3 yrs with no reinfection .

I wonder.....HMMM

I jus received this on FB and thought it maybe of interest of to a lot of us as well as useful.

"CDC Recommends HIV men to get vaccinated against Meningitis"


NYC Vaccine 391 like this
27 minutes ago
Health Department Recommends Vaccination for HIV-Positive Men at High Risk of Meningitis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release # 031-12
Thursday, October 4, 2012

MEDIA CONTACT: (347) 396-4177
Jean Weinberg: Pressoffice@health.nyc.gov

Health Department Recommends Vaccination for Hiv-Positive Men at High Risk of Meningitis

Free vaccinations available beginning Friday, October 5 for people who cannot get vaccine from their health care provider

October 4, 2012 The Health Department issued recommendations today for vaccinating against invasive meningococcal disease commonly known as meningitis after a spike of cases reported over the past five weeks. The Department is advising vaccinations for any man who is HIV positive and has had intimate contact with another man that he met through a website, digital application (App), or at a bar or party since September 1, 2012. Vaccine will be available starting Friday at medical facilities throughout the city for men who meet these criteria but who cannot obtain it from their HIV care providers.

The outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease among HIV-positive men in New York City is completely unrelated to the outbreak of meningitis in several states that is caused by a contaminated medication.

Vaccination prevents but does not treat current infection. Common symptoms of meningitis are high fever, headache, stiff neck, and rash that develop rapidly upon onset. Symptoms may occur 2 to 10 days after exposure, but usually within 5 days. People who are HIV-positive and who experience these symptoms should seek medical care immediately.

Because the vaccine is best given in the context of regular medical care for HIV infection, people should first check with the medical care provider that treats them for HIV infection to ask if they have the vaccine. If the medical provider does not have the vaccine, people should visit one of the HIV clinics in select New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation sites listed below. New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation clinics will waive their co-pay requirements for two months for people who have insurance. The Health Departments clinics will also be able to administer the vaccine for those people who cannot obtain vaccine from their medical providers or a New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation clinic. Locations are listed here. Individuals who meet some, but not all, of the criteria are advised to discuss their need for vaccination with their medical provider.

Vaccine locations at select HIV clinics in Health and Hospitals Corporation sites:

Bronx
Jacobi Medical Center
Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center

Brooklyn
Coney Island Hospital
Kings County Hospital Center
Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center

Manhattan
Bellevue Hospital Center
Harlem Hospital Center

Queens
Elmhurst Hospital Center
Queens Hospital Center

#031-12

MEDIA CONTACT: (347) 396-4177
Jean Weinberg: pressoffice@health.nyc.gov