Scientists have found a remedy against the virus that causes blood cancer

Medical breakthrough: HIV drugs effectively fight the virus that causes blood cancer. Results of revolutionary research published in the prestigious journal Cell.

Scientists conducted a unique experiment using "humanized" mice whose immune systems were recreated from human cells. Combination therapy with the drugs tenofovir and dolutegravir almost completely suppressed the activity of the dangerous HTLV-1 virus in the T-cells of the experimental animals.

According to researchers, HTLV-1 is a kind of "relative" of HIV, attacking identical immune system cells. The insidiousness of the virus lies in its ability to hide in the body for years, gradually causing severe complications - from T-cell leukemia to chronic inflammation of the spinal cord.

It is noted that until today, medicine had neither a vaccine nor effective treatment methods capable of stopping the development of HTLV-1 in the body.

As part of the study, scientists also tested an innovative approach: a combination of antiviral drugs with blockers of the MCL-1 protein, which ensures the survival of infected cells. This strategy allowed for the targeted destruction of infected cells while keeping healthy tissues intact.

"This gives hope not only for the prevention of HTLV-1 but also for the possible cure of already infected patients," the study authors concluded.