Breakthrough for HIV researchers in Port St. Lucie
A breakthrough for HIV researchers in Port Saint Lucie-- doctors believe they are closer than ever to eliminating the virus in humans.
Monday morning doctors at the Florida Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute announced that they now know why HIV doesn't go away with current drugs.
They also say they've got a method that takes treatment one step further.
It all comes down to a different approach. Doctors used to focus on eliminating the virus in unhealthy cells but these researchers say they now know which cells the virus will spread to and infect next.
Their new treatment would protect those healthy T-cells from dividing.
"Now I think it's still early on but I think we have a very good path to follow, and I'm encouraged," said one doctor.
The researchers are from the Torrey Pines Research Institute which was created with 60 million dollars from the state of Florida and 53 million from the city of Port St. Lucie.
