Scientists Discover Effective Treatment Against Virus That Causes Blood Cancer

The study was conducted using “humanized” laboratory mice — mice with an immune system derived from human cells. After a course of treatment with tenofovir and dolutegravir, HTLV-1 activity in T cells was almost completely halted.

According to the researchers, HTLV-1 is considered a “relative” of HIV, as both viruses target the same immune cells — T cells. HTLV-1 can remain dormant in the human body for many years, gradually triggering severe health consequences such as T-cell leukemia (a type of blood cancer) and chronic spinal cord inflammation.

Until recently, there was neither an effective vaccine nor a treatment capable of stopping or slowing down the progression of HTLV-1 infection.

In addition to antiviral therapy, the researchers tested a new approach: combining HIV medications with MCL-1 protein inhibitors, which block a key protein responsible for the survival of infected cells. This combination therapy allowed for the selective destruction of infected cells without harming healthy ones.

“These results give hope not only for preventing HTLV-1 infection, but also for potentially curing patients already infected,” the study authors concluded.