A few months ago we reported on a novel drug that might be an effective treatment or effective cure for herpes, a virus carried by the majority of adults. The drug was Bavituximab, a special protein that aids the immune system in recognising and treating virus-carrying cells.
In animals the drug has been demonstrated to remove viruses from the body. The lead researcher, Dr Thorpe, is now running clinical trials on Bavituximab’s effectiveness at treating Hepatitis C and HIV.
Although herpes studies have not begun yet, Bavituximab could be effective in treating …

Vical are reported to be making progress with their immunotherapeutic vaccine. An immunotherapeutic vaccine is one which provides immunity for those who do not carry herpes, as well as treatment for the majority of the population who already do.
One of the investigators, Dr David Koelle said, “We are encouraged that the CD8 T-cell responses observed in mice after DNA vaccination matched those observed after natural HSV-2 infection, suggesting that the appropriate tegument protein epitopes together with surface glycoproteins may provide interventional vaccine opportunities.”
“We believe these responses may be important in …

Meet The Scientist has a fascinating interview with David Knipe of Harvard University. Knipe is developing a vaccine against HSV-2.
Knipe discusses the challenges that researchers have faced in developing a vaccine against the virus, and explains why his new vaccine may be an answer. Knipe’s vaccine has been shown to protect animals who are yet to be exposed to the virus, and also reduce symptomatic disease in those who are already carrying the virus. Acambis are now developing the vaccine for clinical trials in humans.
Knipe also talks about the …

The herpes virus is carried by as many as 90% of people in most populations. The virus inserts itself into nerve structures in the human skin, where it stays for the entire lifetime of the carrier. Some people get regular coldsores, many people get just one, and the majority of people have no symptoms at all.
Scientists have now discovered that a viral protein called VP16 provokes herpes into causing visible coldsores. When this protein is created by a nerve cell that carries herpes, it causes the virus to make …

Although there’s a mysterious quiet at Glaxo recently, the herpes vaccine Simplirix (formerly Herpevac) is finishing up Phase III trials. It won’t be of any use to anyone who already has herpes, but it’s the first real attempt to bring a vaccine to market. Current data suggests that the vaccine is around 75% effective at preventing infection and/or visible sores in women who don’t already carry either herpes type.
For some slightly dated information on this vaccine, take a look here.

Canadian and U.S. researchers have identified a cellular process that seeks out and fights type 1 herpes simplex — cold sores. The five-year study, a joint project with the University of Montreal, Washington University and Pennsylvania State University, found that the nuclear membrane of an infected cell can unmask type 1 herpes simplex and stimulate the immune system to disintegrate the virus
“Once human cells are infected with Type 1 herpes simplex, the virus comes back because it hides and blocks protection from our immune system,” lead author Luc English, a …

The University of Florida proposes a vaccine that actually cuts into the structure of the herpes virus, damaging it so significantly that it is eaten up by the body. By designing special enzymes called hammerhead ribozymes, the researchers were able to target critical parts of the herpes virus.
“”If things worked out the best they could, I think this could be a measure to prevent recurrence, and that would help a lot of people — and even if it just reduced severity, it would give us another therapy in cases where …

Scientists at Vironova have created an entirely new kind of anti-herpes treatment. The treatment uses called a chemical compound called a maturation inhibitor.
The “maturation inhibitor” antiviral Vironova are developing is potentially effective against all of the herpesviridae — even the six other types we don’t typically think about. This is a very broad target for an antiviral. Vironova says that VN-180 has been presented to major pharmaceutical companies and discussions will proceed during the development of the project.
The scientists are using a unique combination of electron microscopes and …

Bill Halford is an expert in herpes viruses and actually has a potential vaccine strain sitting in the freezer in his laboratory. The basic theory behind Halford’s vaccine is that by deleting a critical gene, he can take the kick out of herpes and then inject you with the weakened version.
Although Halford’s vaccine uses a live herpes virus, and is designed to “infect” you, it would only infect you with a strain of the herpes virus that cannot actually cause any visible disease. You would be continually inoculated against the …

It’s exciting times for herpes. Scientists have begun testing special treatments. They still desperately need your help to fund more research