Explanation of CCR5 Genetic Receptor, Which Appears to Promote Immunity to Cellular HIV Infection (Click to Enlarge)

As many in the HIV vaccine world know, genetic therapies look to be the most promising future for vaccine research and development. Curiously, a doctor in Berlin has stumbled upon a potential cure for the virus that causes AIDS:

The startling case of an AIDS patient who underwent a bone marrow transplant to treat leukemia is stirring new hope that gene-therapy strategies on the far edges of AIDS research might someday cure the disease.

The patient, a 42-year-old American living in Berlin, is still recovering from his leukemia therapy, but he appears to have won his battle with AIDS. Doctors have not been able to detect the virus in his blood for more than 600 days, despite his having ceased all conventional AIDS medication. Normally when a patient stops taking AIDS drugs, the virus stampedes through the body within weeks, or days.

Pretty compelling stuff. But obviously no jumping to conclusions. But really, very interesting!