Today's news drew my attention.
This is extraordinary.
These data were presented on June 18 at the Fifth European Conference on Experimental AIDS Research (ECEAR) 2000 in Madrid, Spain. CTLs are white blood cells of the immune system (CD8 lymphocytes) capable of directly killing virus-infected cells.
``These data suggest that treatment with REMUNE may enhance the immune system's reserves of HIV-specific CTLs. This is very significant because CTL immune responses are typically lost, or decline to very low levels, in people chronically infected with HIV despite successful control of viral replication with antiviral drug therapy,'' said Professor Eduardo Fernandez-Cruz, M.D., Head of the Division of Clinical Immunology at University General Hospital ``Gregorio Maranon'' in Madrid and Principal Investigator of the Spain trial. ``Because CTLs detect and kill virus-infected cells, boosting the population of CTLs that specifically react to HIV may enable REMUNE to have a favorable impact on viral load.''
Data on the blood samples taken 24 months into the Phase 2 trial from pre-selected sites were analyzed in such a way as to ensure that the trial remains blinded. Immunological tests were performed to measure the effect of treatment with REMUNE on CTL immune responses as well as CD4 ``helper'' T cells, which are the specific targets of HIV infection.
Apparently there are those who were 'betting' against such successful results.
nasdaq.com
Settlement Date -- Short Interest -- Avg Daily Share Volume -- Days to Cover
May 15, 2000 -- 3,699,132 -- 309,259 -- 11.96
Apr. 14, 2000 -- 3,801,221 -- 1,462,671 -- 2.60 |
