Maiden attempt to use gene therapy as a cure for HIV has shown encouraging results. Tests conducted on 74 patients revealed that the therapy was safe and effective in reducing the effect of the virus on the immune system.

The therapy puts an anti- HIV RNA weapon into blood cells. When administered in higher doses and stronger form, it could make the body resist the AIDS virus.

This is a "major advance in the field" as it is the largest clinical trial ever to test genetically altered cells in humans, say UCLA researcher Ronald T. Mitsuyasu, MD, and colleagues.

The patients get shots of a growth factor that stimulates growth of white blood cells. These cells are then taken out from their blood and put in cell culture dishes where these cells are infected with OZ1. OZ1 is a genetically engineered mouse virus which gives an anti HIV gene. Thus the HIV genes are targeted and inactivated. The blood cells when transfused back into the blood stream of the patient populate HIV resistant T cells.