A new breakthrough in HIV/AIDS research recently announced in Montreal is creating waves in Montreal’s positive community. Experts and those who carry the virus alike are reacting to news of a possible cure with a mixture of hope and skepticism. Controversy is compounded by the fact that the research team who discovered this new treatment is now leaving Montreal for the U.S, due to lack of federal research funding in Canada.
Dr. Rafick-Pierre Sékaly of the Université du Montreal announced on June 21st that his team had pioneered a new treatment for HIV/AIDS, combining existing treatment of anit-viral drugs with chemotherapy. This treatment appears to be successful in completely eliminating the HIV virus from the body. Prior to this, treatments were able to minimize the viral load in infected patients, but were unable to attack viral reservoirs - the cells in the body where the virus remains dormant and hides. At the same time, Dr. Sékaly announced his upcoming move to Florida - taking 25 researchers with him.
Montrealer Celina Nahanni is a PhD medical student at Harvard. “I always make sure to have the 'cautious optimism' attitude towards clinical breakthroughs. The key to an HIV/ AIDS cure will be eradication of the dormant virus and this looks like it might be at least part of the answer. Although this technique might be a great option for infected individuals in the near future, chemotherapy is a very difficult process to endure.”
Her concern is echoed by the HIV+ community in Montreal. Ken Monteith (himself HIV-positive), is the Executive Director of COCQ-SIDA, an organization workings with all other Montreal HIV/AIDS organizations. He is taking the news with a grain of salt. “In the early 90s, when pro-tease inhibitors first came along, it was the same story. Now, no one is hearing about them.” He has concerns about the toxicity of the treatment. “They are essentially combining HIV chemotherapy with cancer chemotherapy, and I hope that they are taking into account the toxicity of these combined treatments.” Monteith is further troubled by Dr. Sékaly’s departure. “It’s a federal problem,” he says. “The funding for research is not there.”
These worries are shared by Lance Lamore, Director of Treatment at AIDS Community Care Montreal (ACCM), who has been living with HIV for 15 years. Although Lance does not experience side-effects from his medication, he sees them every day at work. “Oh, god - everything from constant diarrhea to renal failure or cardiovascular problems. These people may not be able to withstand the toxicity of chemotherapy.” He is cautious about a possible cure, saying, “It’s a damn sneaky disease.” Lance laments Dr. Sékaly’s departure, but blames the government. “You’ve got to go where the money is.”
Despite his reservations about the new treatment, Lance remains hopeful. “I’d like to do more research, and have a good conversation with my doctor, but it’s something I might be open to trying, with more information.” When asked how a cure for HIV would affect his life, Lance takes a long pause. “Wow. This disease has defined every aspect of my life for 15 years. It would be great if tomorrow there was a cure, but I would still practice a responsible lifestyle.”
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