article_snippet.sent: In a person infected with HIV, there is an ongoing battle between the virus and the body's immune system.
article_snippet.sent: As the body produces new antibodies that target the virus, the infection mutates to escape, managing to stay a few steps ahead.
article_snippet.sent: One antibody alone, like one drug alone, will not be sufficient to suppress viral load for a long time because resistance will arise,' said Dr Marina Caskey, co-first author of a groundbreaking study published. '
article_snippet.sent: The immune systems of people infected with HIV naturally produce broadly neutralising antibodies in 10 to 30 per cent of sufferers, but only after several years of infection.
article_snippet.sent: By that time, the virus has typically evolved and mutated to a point rendering the powerful antibodies ineffective.
article_snippet.sent: Dr Caskey said further trials could result in the antibodies being used in conjunction with existing anti-retroviral drugs to maintain better control over the infection to prevent the onset of Aids.
article_snippet.sent: Dr Caskey said antibody therapy might require treatment once every few months, compared with daily doses of antiretroviral drugs, currently the front line treatment for HIV virus.
article_snippet.sent: Dr Caskey Dr Caskey said that if researchers can induce an uninfected person's immune system to generate potent antibodies such as that tested, it might be enough to block the HIV infection before the HIV infection can be established.