Tammy - AIDS Research Alliance Trial Participant

Marcia Cross - Co-Chair “Into the Enchanted Forest: A Beautiful Cure:

Habiba Ismail - AIDS Research Alliance Community Educator

My work as a health educator started in Houston Texas where I gave “HIV 101” presentations to LBGT people living with HIV/AIDS. One of the challenges to providing valuable information is that it must be done in an interesting way that guarantees retention of these important facts. Using more interactive seating, exercises and stories, we witnessed significant improvement among the clients attending sessions within months. They always kept all their appointments, shared their progress with group members, and usually were in good spirits. It was fascinating to see how a small group of individual who shared a common goal of living with HIV, working to overcome substance abuse grew into a close-knit family. My experience with this group serves as a reminder of the importance of delivering a message of hope .It allowed my clients to better utilize the tools we made available to them. I continue to employ these lessons while working as a community educator at AIDS Research Alliance. Though I cover much different information in my presentations - for example sharing information about access to clinical trials, or Microbicides - I continue to carry with me the idea that active engagement and true empowerment will help our clients better cope with this disease.

Dr. Emery Chang - AIDS Research Alliance Interim Associate Medical Director

Many HIV drugs fight the virus from inside infected white blood cells. CCR5 antagonists stop the virus from getting into cells by blocking the main entry point common to most people who have the infection.

Entry of HIV into the cell is a three-step process, beginning when proteins on HIV's outer coating (gp120, gp41) bind with molecules (CD4, CCR5, CXCR4) on the surface of the T-cell.   These molecules at the surface of T-cells act as powerful receptors for HIV.   The virus uses its gp120 protein to attach to the T-cell receptor CD4, then the HIV gp41 protein binds to another, either CXCR4 or CCR5.   It's as if HIV is trying to gain access to a locked room by using one hand (gp120) to grab the doorknob (CD4) and another hand (gp41) to unlock the door (CCR5).  

By blocking the CCR5 co-receptor on the membrane of T-cells, CCR5 antagonists stop some strains of HIV from binding with the surface of T-cells, thus preventing the virus from infecting healthy cells.

AIDS Research Alliance is currently enrolling patients to participate in a study evaluating the effects of Vicriviroc, in combination with an optimized drug cocktail, on the viral load. Vicriviroc is an experimental entry inhibitor developed by the Schering-Plough Research Institute. 

Vicriviroc holds promise for HIV-positive patients who have tried and failed other anti-HIV drugs in the past. Because Vicriviroc targets HIV differently than the protease inhibitors, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, that comprise traditional HAART, chances are that most people living with HIV/AIDS —regardless of their treatment history—may benefit from using Vicriviroc.

Fresh off the success of the luxelab/luxehaus fundraiser “Into the Enchanted Forest” David Abrams and Jason Lara, the innovative force behind these two Santa Monica, California businesses, have committed to continuing the fight against AIDS. Luxehaus recently launched “Shop for Life." From now until the end of the year, luxehaus will donate 10% of each sale from a select group of featured designers to AIDS Research Alliance. Designers include 2Jane, Artecnica, Chilewich, Citizen-Citizen, Ibride, Lladro/Bodo Sperlein jewelry (Magic Forest necklace pictured), Mint, Offi, Roost, Rosenthal, Shastra, and Thomas Paul.  The luxehaus staff invite you to visit their beautiful and unique store to shop for life.  When you make holiday purchases you are giving back the ultimate gift this holiday season — hope.  

Shop for Life. Side effects may include Hope.

luxehaus 1410 Montana Avenue Santa, Monica, California 90403 310.394.5200

  In the upcoming issue of Searchlight, we turn our focus to the challenges of the latent HIV reservoirs. These reservoirs -   hiding throughout the bodies of people living with HIV/AIDS - are the barrier to a cure for HIV.  AIDS Research Alliance has claimed eradication of the reservoirs as a top priority.  This Searchlight discusses the nature of the latent reservoir, and scientific opinion regarding the possibility of reservoir eradication. 

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), commonly referred to as the “drug cocktail,” has slowed progression to AIDS and extended survival in HIV infected individuals. Many individuals on a HAART regimen can maintain a blood level of under 50 virus particles per mL, but if HAART is stopped, the virus count rises. The resurgent virus comes from these reservoirs of latent virus that are integrated into the genetic material of immune system cells such as CD4 memory T-cells, and cells in the gut and the brain.   Because the virus is dormant, it is not recognizable to standard antiretroviral drugs.  

It is generally held that AIDS can only be “cured” if the latent HIV is emptied from these hidden pockets. We report on ongoing research on approaches to activating the latent virus, including our own research on prostratin. One approach involves activation of latently infected immune system cells and stimulating the expression of new viremia that is then recognized and susceptible to antiretroviral drugs. 

As with many theories, controversy surrounds the issue of clearing the reservoir. Until recently, estimates for how long it would take for the reservoir to be emptied through the use of HAART was upwards of seven decades. Other more recent data in a small number of patients suggest a half-life, the time it would take to reduce the reservoir by 50%, of less than 5 months.   The validity of this small study is uncertain.

 The Winter 2007 Searchlight hits the stands on December 15th.

P.S. 

At this time of year, when we take stock of our families and the achievements of the past year, we ask you to renew your commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS by sending a gift to AIDS Research Alliance, rated "4 stars" by Charity Navigator for fiscal responsibility. That rating means that .86 cents of every dollar you give goes directly to research and education.