HIV vaccine 'allows drug breaks'

[TechBear_Seattle]

HIV vaccine 'allows drug breaks'

Scientists are testing a vaccine designed to give HIV patients a prolonged break from their regular medication without side effects.

The Aids 2008 conference in Mexico City was told 345 patients in 21 centres in the US and Europe will take part in the largest-ever trial of its kind.

The vaccine has been developed by a biotechnology company based in Norway, Bionor Immuno.

Results from the trial are due by the end of 2009.

A break from standard HIV therapy would potentially alleviate the adverse side effects associated with the drugs, which can include problems with the heart and liver, diarrhoea, nausea and fat loss

It may also help delay the emergence of drug-resistant viruses, as well as providing substantial savings for health care services.

The article continues at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7541735.stm

[supernova]

1. Similar to chemo 'holidays'

If you've got protracted chemo rounds to endure, you can get a 'holiday' from it, to recover. glad to see they are able to do this with AIDS drugs too.