Preliminary study hints that genetically modified T cells might fight HIV

The same kind of DNA tinkering that produced the first FDA-approved gene therapy for has shown hints of suppressing and even eradicating HIV infection in lab animals, scientists have . Although the study was small — it tested the genetically engineered “CAR” cells on only two monkeys as well as on cells growing in lab dishes — it suggests that after 30 years of fruitless efforts to come up with an AIDS vaccine there might be a wholly new way to get the immune system to fight HIV infection.