On the occasion of World AIDS Day, France 24 is heading to Spain. The country has 140,000 people infected with the virus, but is at the forefront of the fight against HIV.
At the National Immunology and Microbiology Center, Dr. José Alcami, Director of Research, made an exceptional discovery with his team that could revolutionize AIDS research.
"We know that about 50 people from the same family had a genetic mutation," says José Alcami. "This mutation causes a muscular disease, but at the same time it protects them from AIDS."
Indeed, this defect affects the "Transportin-3", explains the researcher. It is this gene, responsible as its name suggests for transport within cells, that HIV uses to contaminate our body.
"If we can find a drug that reproduces this effect and blocks the Transportin-3, then we could avoid being infected by the virus," says José Alcami.
Continue prevention
This breakthrough is significant, but it will take more than a decade to develop a drug or gene therapy, which involves the entry of genes into an individual's cells or tissues to treat a disease. Meanwhile, Spain is launching its 31st prevention campaign.
On this occasion, associations make students aware of the use of condoms, but also PrEP,
a preventive treatment reimbursed in Spain since November 1st.
"They need to know that access to PrEP can prevent the transmission of AIDS, and that we could stop it, it's in our hands", defends Isabel del Pozzo, volunteer of the association "Apoyo Positivo "
Every year, 4,000 new people are infected with AIDS in Spain, where one third of HIV-positive people have been diagnosed before their 30th birthday.