Researchers: Acne Drug Found To Be Effective In HIV Treatment

Baltimore, MD, United States (AHN) – Researchers have found that an inexpensive antibiotic around since the 1970′s used to treat acne is effective in targeting cells infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Johns Hopkins scientists say the drug minocycline targets cells and prevents them from reactivating and replicating. If used in conjunction with a current treatment or a combination with the standard drug cocktail known as HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) it is reportedly highly effective.

“The powerful advantage to using minocycline is that the virus appears less able to develop drug resistance because minocycline targets cellular pathways not viral proteins,” says Janice Clements, Ph.D., Mary Wallace Stanton Professor of Faculty Affairs, vice dean for faculty, and professor of molecular and comparative pathobiology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

“The big challenge clinicians deal with now in this country when treating HIV patients is keeping the virus locked in a dormant state,” Clements adds. “While HAART is really effective in keeping down active replication, minocycline is another arm of defense against the virus.”

Minocycline differs from the drugs used in HAART which target the virus, minocycline targets in on, and adjusts T cells, major immune system agents and targets of HIV infection. According to Clements, minocycline reduces the ability of T cells to activate and proliferate, both steps crucial to HIV production and progression toward full blown AIDS.

The study can be read in its entirety in the April 15 edition of The Journal of Infectious Diseases.

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