Can you give your opinion on this:

Ottawa researchers at the Ottawa Hospital announced this week that a naturally occurring protein can reduce the level of HIV to undetectable levels in dormant cells that hide from other drugs. The team tested a molecule developed by Seattle-based Immunex Corporation called TRAIL, or tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand. This is a protein produced by the body's immune cells.

thanks

There are many researchers in several labs who, in test tube based studies, are looking for alternative ways to slow down or stop HIV -- in addition to what is done with antivirals. We continue to search for immune based approaches given the limitations of antivirals as well as the increased reports of resistance that develops to them. Whether this one can or will work out is far from clear... given the many steps that can surprise us. For example, whenever we have mucked about with native cell messenger signals, there has often followed a combination of side effects from the excess, and a down regulation of the cells' normal amount it makes. There are difficult to predict and balance in test tube studies - and that is why there are animal studies prior to human trials...

So I look at these reports as encouraging signs... but certainly no one can yet say if this will ever be a drug. The zone of chaos in drug development has many surprises. Some we tolerate - like cholesterol increases in some antivirals... but some derail a drug. And there are few if any ways to know what'll happen. It is however critical that research continue - since we can only hope for continued improvements in treatment as a result.