Groundbreaking Gene Editing Therapy Offers Promising Path to Herpes Cure

Published on 26-05-2024 | Last updated on 26-05-2024

In a remarkable development that could forever change the lives of millions affected by herpes, researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have made a significant breakthrough in using gene editing technology to potentially cure herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections.

The experimental gene therapy, which utilizes viral vectors to deliver enzymes that act as molecular scissors to cut and eliminate HSV genes hiding in infected cells, has shown promising results in mice, as reported in a recent study published in the prestigious journal *Nature Communications*.

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The latest study, led by Dr. Keith Jerome and his team, demonstrates that the refined gene therapy not only knocks out most latent HSV infection but also dramatically reduces or eliminates viral shedding in treated mice compared to controls.

Viral shedding is the process by which the virus is transmitted to others, making this finding particularly significant in the quest to prevent the spread of herpes infections.

The Herpes simplex virus, which causes either cold sores around the mouth (HSV-1) or blisters near the genitals (HSV-2), is a lifelong infection that affects millions worldwide.

While often considered a nuisance, herpes infections can have serious consequences, such as increasing the risk of contracting HIV and potentially contributing to the development of dementia later in life.

Additionally, the social stigma surrounding herpes can lead to significant stress and anxiety for those living with the infection.

Existing antiviral medications can help reduce herpes outbreaks, but they do not eliminate the viruses completely.

This is because herpes is a latent or persistent virus, meaning its DNA can integrate into the genomes of the human nerve cells it infects, staying put for life and randomly reactivating to cause more viral shedding and sores.

The new gene therapy aims to use molecular tools to surgically remove the herpes DNA from nerve cells in a highly precise way.

The researchers injected into the bloodstream a mixture of gene editing components packaged inside a modified virus shell, called a vector.

Once the vectors reach the nerve cell clusters harboring the latent herpes viruses, the molecular scissors get to work, literally 'snipping away' at two different spots in the herpes genetic code, cutting it up so badly that it becomes corrupted beyond repair.

The body's cellular repair systems then recognize the mangled viral DNA as a foreign object and destroy it.

In mice infected with the HSV-1 strain, a single treatment with the gene therapy eliminated over 90% of the virus from nerves involved in oral herpes and 97% from those linked to genital herpes after about a month.

Even more impressive, it also dramatically reduced the amount of infectious virus particles being shed from nerves, which is crucial for stopping the transmission of herpes through skin-on-skin contact.

The team at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is making significant strides in understanding HSV fusion, potentially revolutionizing the way we understand and treat viral infections.

The researchers have steadily improved and simplified the gene therapy, with the latest iteration using just one vector and one meganuclease that cuts the viral DNA in two spots.

This streamlined approach is not only effective at eliminating the herpes virus but also has fewer side effects on the liver and nerves, making it a promising candidate for future human trials.

"If you talk to people living with herpes, many are worried about whether their infection will transmit to others," says Dr. Jerome. "Our aim is to cure people of this infection, so that they don't have to live with the worry of outbreaks or of transmitting it to another person."

While turning this gene editing approach into an approved treatment for humans will take more time and research, including clinical trials, the Fred Hutch team is excited about the potential for a cure after decades of fruitless efforts.

They are collaborating with numerous partners and aligning resources to accelerate progress in the fight against HSV infections.

Groundbreaking Gene Editing Therapy Offers Promising Path to Herpes Cure

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