Studies of a possible HIV prevention shot in monkeys have shown promising results.
Researchers say that two groups of monkeys who received a monthly HIV prevention shot remained completely uninfected by the disease, despite exposure to HIV. The results have raised the hope that a successful HIV prevention shot can be developed for use in people, the New York Times reports.
The HIV prevention shot that the monkeys received is composed of antiretroviral drugs. Researchers indicated that it was possible that only one shot every three months might be just as effective.
Scientists have shown that people who take small amounts retroviral medications on a strict daily basis are significantly less likely to contract HIV. However, the practice is only effective if people take the drugs every single day, which has proven problematic for many patients, especially those in developing nations. A periodic HIV prevention shot is considered a better way to protect people from HIV infection since it would be administered less regularly.
While an early-stage trial of the HIV prevention shot for people will commence later this year, it will likely be years before the full scale clinical trials necessary for approval of the treatment begin.
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