Page 28 - aruba-today-20190914

A28 SCIENCE
Saturday 14 September 2019
A gene-editing first: scientists tried CRISPR to fight HIV

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE Scientists are testing various
AP Chief Medical Writer ways to make the gene
Scientists are reporting the editing more efficient, and
first use of the gene-editing "our results show the proof
tool CRISPR to try to cure a of principle" for this ap-
patient's HIV infection by proach, one study leader,
providing blood cells that Hongkui Deng of Peking
were altered to resist the University in Beijing, wrote in
AIDS virus. an email.
The gene-editing tool has One very encouraging re-
long been used in research sult: multiple tests show that
labs, and a Chinese scien- the editing did not have
tist was scorned last year unintended effects on oth-
when he revealed he used er genes.
it on embryos that led to "One of the concerns is
the birth of twin girls. Editing that they could make a
embryos is considered too Frankenstein cell, that they
risky, partly because the would hit other genes in-
DNA changes can pass to stead of the intended tar-
future generations. get," so it's good that this
Wednesday's report in the did not happen, June said.
New England Journal of China appears to be mov-
Medicine, by different Chi- ing fast on such research
nese researchers, is the first This 2011 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control shows and may get treatments
published account of using HIV virions. approved sooner than the
CRISPR to treat a disease in Associated Press United States, June said. He
an adult, where the DNA grants paid for the re- The new case involves a that gene in blood cells in has financial ties to some
changes are confined to search, which was done 27-year-old man with HIV the lab to try to mimic the gene therapy companies
that person. openly with advance no- who needed a blood stem mutation. and is leading a different
The attempt was successful tice on a scientific registry cell transplant to treat can- The transplant put the study testing CRISPR to fight
in some ways but fell short and standard informed cer. Previously, two other man's cancer in remission, cancer in the U.S. Three pa-
of being an HIV cure. consent procedures. Some men were apparently and the cells that were al- tients have been treated
Still, it shows that gene ed- of those steps were missing cured of both diseases by tered to resist HIV are still so far and some results are
iting holds promise and or questioned in last year's transplants from donors working 19 months later. expected by the end of this
seems precise and safe in embryo work. with natural resistance to But they comprise only 5% year.
this patient so far, said Dr. "There are no ethical con- HIV because they have a to 8% of such blood cells, Several other U.S. studies
Carl June, a University of cerns on this one," June gene mutation that pre- so they're outnumbered have been trying to con-
Pennsylvania genetics ex- said. vents HIV from entering by ones that can still be in- trol HIV by altering patients'
pert who wrote a commen- Gene editing permanently cells. fected. own blood cells using a
tary in the journal. alters DNA, the code of life. Since donors like this are "They need to approach different gene editing tool
"That's really good for the CRISPR is a relatively new very rare, the Chinese sci- 90% or more, I think, to ac- called zinc finger nucleas-
field," June said. tool scientists can use to entists tried to create similar tually have a chance of es. The first such test began
Chinese government cut DNA at a specific spot. HIV resistance by "editing" curing HIV," June said. a decade ago in the U.S.q

Health experts back treatment for kids

with peanut allergy

By MATTHEW PERRONE The FDA is expected to eat. That approach doesn't
AP Health Writer make its final decision by always work and acciden-
WASHINGTON (AP) — Gov- January. tal exposure is common,
ernment experts on Friday The panelists said the medi- sending 1 in 4 children with
backed an experimental cation was an important peanut allergies to the
treatment for children with option for parents and chil- emergency room every
peanut allergies that could dren dealing with peanut year.
In this July 31, 2010 file photo, Morgan Parmet, 24, of Washington, become the first federally allergies. However, several Parents at Friday's meet-
holds a bag of peanuts that she bought at Nationals Park, as the approved option for pre- also said they had con- ing urged approval of the
Philadelphia Phillies play against the Washington Nationals, in
Washington. venting life-threatening re- cerns because the pill has drug, describing the anxi-
Associated Press actions. to be taken continuously to ety of watching their chil-
The treatment is daily cap- maintain its effect. dren's diet and daily rou-
sules of peanut powder An estimated 1.6 million tine, even avoiding public
that gradually help chil- children and teenagers in places and transportation
dren build up a tolerance. the U.S. would be eligible because of possible pea-
The outside panel of advis- for the medication, to be nut residues.
ers to the Food and Drug sold as Palforzia, which is "These are constant and
Administration voted over- intended for ages 4 to 17. real fears with extreme
whelmingly in favor of the Peanut allergy is the most consequences," said Cathy
treatment from Aimmune common food allergy in the Heald of Dallas, whose
Therapeutics. The nonbind- country and the standard 12-year-old son Charlie
ing vote amounts to an en- treatment involves strictly took part in a study of the
dorsement for approval. monitoring what children treatment.q