Cure for A.I.D.S.?

Press, 16 July 1983, Page 11

Cure for A.I.D.S.?

NZPA London Scientists believe that they may have found a cure for A.1.D.5., the disease largely affecting homosexuals which has claimed more than 1800 victims in the United States. Research scientists have found a substance, produced by white blood cells, which appears to restore victims’ defences against infection, the “Guardian” newspaper reports. There is cautious optimism among British special-

ists that it might lead to the development of an antiA.I.D.S. drug. The disease has not reached the United States epidemic proportions in Britain yet. Only 14 British cases have been confirmed, of which five have died. The discovery involves a protein produced by white cells called interleukin-2. It is excreted by lymphocytes and encourages the proliferation of the body’s defences against infection. A.I.D.S. — Acquired Im-

mune Deficiency Syndrome — destroys the balance of the body’s defences against infection, leaving victims open to a wide range of infections. Other researchers suspect that they may already have found a short-cut in the form of a new drug called Isoprinosine. If this drug works, it could be on the market before the disease, which has a latency period of one to four years, takes a grip in Britain.