New AIDS study suppresses T cells to stop viral growth

AIDS: A controversial new study of the experimental drug BCX-34 is underway by Biocryst Pharmaceuticals. The drug suppresses T cells, a radically different approach; however, the drug is highly reversible. T cell counts return to pretreatment levels within two weeks after the drug is discontinued. The drug is already in Phase III studies for cutaneous T cell lymphoma and for psoriasis, and has proven safe for both those conditions. BCX-34 is expected to reduce the speed with which the virus develops resistance.