Gene Mutation Is 2nd Found to Slow HIV

Researchers studying specimens from 3,000 people have confirmed a second gene mutation that inhibits the disease progression of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

In a study being published today in the journal Science, scientists at the National Cancer Institute said the altered gene and one discovered earlier are credited with helping about 30% of the long-term survivors of HIV infection. This suggests that still other gene mutations exist that protect against HIV, the researchers said.

The mutation, in a gene called CCR2, tends to protect people infected with HIV from rapid deterioration into AIDS, an advanced stage of the HIV disease.

“These gene alterations tell us that nature already has devised a therapy that works without significant side effects,” said Stephen O’Brien, a doctoral researcher at the cancer institute and senior author of the study. “If we can pinpoint how these altered genes contain HIV, it may be possible to use this knowledge to develop treatments that help people delay the onset of AIDS.”