Inside Cytolin - Humanity's Answer to AIDS

As the number of people living with HIV increases, along with it grows the number of people suffering from depression. Vectors, once acquainted with their illness, let the stigma overtake their daily activity and routine life. Furthermore, depression is contagious in the sense that it victimizes loved ones / relatives of an HIV infectant as well.

Depression masks their ability to think, respond and socialize with people. Their families and friends, sometimes even their physicians may assume that depressive symptoms are an inevitable reaction to being diagnosed with HIV. It is true, but depression and HIV are two completely different scenarios. It can and should be treated, even when a person is undergoing treatment for HIV / AIDS.

Along with a good medical care, a depressed person needs a positive outlook, determination and discipline to deal with the stresses to avoid high-risk behavior and adhere to the complicated medication regimens. Psychiatrists, psychologists or clinical social workers help people improve their mental health. They work in close communication with physicians providing the HIV / AIDS treatment. This is especially important when antidepressant medication is prescribed, so that potentially harmful drug interactions can be avoided.

Coming to the conclusion – Depression is a treatable disorder of the brain. Depression can be treated in addition to whatever other illnesses a person might have, including HIV. Clinical psychologists and psychiatrists are there to help a person get out of this state of mind, but at a very high fee. The region where HIV / AIDS is growing more prominently is also one of the poorer regions (South Africa). They are not even getting sufficient supply of antivirals to treat HIV / AIDS due to lack of funds, how are they going to get a solution to the stigma and depression which comes along the disease? Is there a way to provide those people with an affordable mental healthcare? Please provide your views and suggestions as to what the government can do and what can be done on an individual level?

Take care

SH

Scientists and pharmacists are sending out ample new formulae for treating infectious diseases. On the  other hand manufacturers out there are ready to put them onto shelves. Most of the latest researches and developments are tilted toward getting better and better solutions to infectious diseases, whereas, chronic illnesses are not worked upon as they should have been, or in other words researches are facing failures over and over again.

On the other hand, changes in lifestyle, eating patterns and success against infectious diseases have caused the aging process to slow down, resulting in less number of deaths per year as compared to the annual birth rate. As people are shielding themselves from infectious diseases, chronic illnesses are spreading nevertheless. Malaria, tuberculosis, AIDS etc are now termed as to be the world’s biggest killers.

The world’s economic 2010 forum’s global risk report emphasized heavily on the ‘silent pandemic’ shift from infectious to chronic diseases. It also concluded that poorer populations of Asia and Africa are suffering the most.

In the past, drugs for chronic illnesses were only limited to rich and well nourished people, ready to pay a high price for a cure. Today, the ‘shift’ is towards the poorer section of the world. They demand a cure but cannot afford it. Big Pharmas have started providing discounted drugs, but they are turning out to be ‘a pinch of salt’ as compared to a large number of infectants on the demand side. A huge gap exists between supply and demand. How are they going to fill this gap? Feel free to provide comments and ideas.

Take Care

SH

CytoDyn (CYDY)

HIV/AIDS, one of the fastest growing pandemic, has already engulfed around 33 million people worldwide. And it is on its way to capture many others. According to UNAIDS report of 2008, the U.S. accounted for an estimated 1.2 million of the 2.0 million people living with HIV in North America.

Till date there is no complete solution available to this disease, but life-prolonging antivirals are there to elongate a vector’s life: say about five to seven years, but at a cost of side effects partnering the vector in his/her ‘prolonged life’. Whereas, CytoDyn’s novel immune based therapy, Cytolin is meant to prevent the human immune system from self destructing in response to an HIV infection.

Early clinical trials of Cytolin resulted in satisfactory outcomes, but now a well-known and independent third party: Massachusetts General Hospital, is conducting these trials. This study, privately funded by CytoDyn and Massachusetts General being involved must be intensely watched by large pharmaceutical companies. They using the no-risk-no-failure strategy are always waiting for small companies to do the developmental work, prove-up the drug to their contentment; and then step-in, either to purchase the rights of the drug, buy a major stake in the company, or even buy it out entirely.

Coming to the conclusion – Study team of Cytolin at the Massachusetts General Hospital would be completing an initial research in around six months, and being a third-party, they would obviously report back their results – unbiased. Stock movements of CytoDyn (CYDY) are also pointing towards a successful outcome of the study. My suggestion – if a large Pharma approaches them, best bet for this company is to sell the formula and leave the market, it would be lucrative in short-run, but would save them from the hassle of manufacturing and distributing the drug.

What are your opinions regarding investment in this emerging pharmaceutical company? Comments, ideas or stock pick suggestions are welcome.

Regards

Steven

CytoDyn (CYDY)

As reported earlier that CytoDyn has entered into an Agreement with The Massachusetts General Hospital for a clinical trial of Cytolin®, the company’s novel immune therapy for treating HIV/AIDS. The Agreement between CytoDyn and Massachusetts General Hospital takes a different approach to new drug development that merges elements of the private and public sectors. CytoDyn believes this approach is superior to the standard modalities because it can provide:

• Enhanced ROI for pharmaceutical companies.
• Reduced burden on taxpayers.
• Accelerated progress in clinical medicine.

Public teaching hospitals across US are usually working on some new drug development; these are funded by the government, via involuntary tax collections from individuals and corporations. The government reduces risk (the risk of criticism) by funding research that is popular in the academic community and is otherwise politically correct. Whereas, researchers at teaching hospitals are under no obligation to produce results that have utility or that provide taxpayers with any tangible benefits. Somewhere or the other, all the dollars spent provide a better knowledge base and intangible benefit for society in return. As a case in point, a significant portion of the basic science that underlies Cytolin®, i.e., the “prior art,” was funded by the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases.

On the other hand, individuals and institutional investors voluntarily inject their money at risk in made-for-profit companies who come up with new drugs and medicines every now and then, but later on have to leave the market just because their studies are on the basis of intuitions, fad theories, anecdotal observations or microbiological phenomena.

The study, CytoDyn is funding at Massachusetts General Hospital is science-intensive and is intended as a prelude to a follow-on clinical trial at the same Institution. In other words, CytoDyn is funding research of a type that is usually funded by the government, except that the funds represent money voluntarily placed at risk by investors rather than tax dollars. While CytoDyn will retain its intellectual property rights and will have access to the study data, it will not own the data, which will be owned by Massachusetts General Hospital. This research, therefore, provides Massachusetts General Hospital with an opportunity to pursue its mission of conducting relevant and potentially seminal research using funds from a non-governmental source representing a deep-pocket segment of the economy. This would not be possible in the case of a drug that does not reflect a potential scientific breakthrough, such as a “me too” drug.

Reference Link: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/CytoDyns-New-Approach-to-Drug-bw-1189227693.html?x=0&.v=1

Understanding the HIV virus increases chances of living a healthier, longer life. In beginning of the epidemic, an AIDS diagnosis signaled death would soon follow. But today, thanks to the development of HIV medications, fewer people are dying of AIDS and regardless of being infected with HIV; many are living a long and productive life. Unfortunately, cost of HIV medications are becoming a massive issue to those living in underdeveloped areas. While that hurdle has been negotiated here in the western world, some of the world’s hardest hit areas still can’t afford to treat their citizens with HIV medications.

Have you ever wondered what the HIV medications cost each month? The following table will give you an idea just how pricey HIV medications can be.

Source: Test Positive Aware Network; “Annual HIV Drug Guide”; 2006.

*Prices will vary depending where they are purchased and how they are paid for.

Other than these many life-extending drugs are out there. Wealthy countries use multidrug-cocktail therapies that transform AIDS from certain killer to chronic illness and reduce its spread by making the infected less contagious. Due to the fact that these drugs do not lie under the budget line of people in various regions, the government is only providing basic education about AIDS and providing contraceptives to promote safer sex. Is this strategy enough to eliminate AIDS from society? These are all for the pre-infected, what about the people who already carry this disease?

What should be done in order to get an economical solution to this disease? Please give your views and ideas.

Take Care

SH

What happens when the drugs meant to save lives end up killing them? Situations like these have always prevailed since the discovery of HIV/AIDS. In the past, rarely an HIV patient got drug resistant. But these days, a larger number of cases have been recorded worldwide, especially in the Sub-Saharan Africa.

The HIV drug resistance has resulted by the mutation and reproduction of the HIV virus in the presence of an antiretroviral drug. The consequences of drug resistance include treatment failure, increased direct and indirect health costs associated with the need to start more costly second-line treatment for patients, the spread of resistant strains of HIV and the need to develop new anti-HIV drugs.

In previous years, only about 1-5 percent of the HIV patients worldwide came up with a drug resistant strain and it was not something to be highly concerned about. Doctors at that time handled it by using separate antiretroviral drugs at the same time. But today, the figure has reached to almost 30 percent, generally because of misprescriptions and availability of inferior medicines in developing countries.

On one hand it opens up new opportunities for researches and discoveries, but on the other hand, past formulas and drugs that are widely used today will go down the drain, increasing the drug resistance, helping HIV expand and claim many more lives.

We exactly do not know how much time it will take to come up with a drug that defeats HIV/AIDS. But it is for sure that drug resistances are increasing at a faster rate than production of new, effective antiretroviral drugs. Is it not better to work on medications that help bolster the natural immune system, instead of spending billions on antiretroviral?

Feel free to share your opinions and ideas.

Take Care

SH

Most of the ‘highly effective’ antiretroviral, used to get rid of HIV, are usually ‘highly expensive’ as well. They ‘gift’ a large number of side effects to their users. In some cases, instead of the HIV virus being depleted, it becomes resistant to the drug and starts feeding on it.

For this reason it would be useful to have a medicine or a group of medicines which the virus does not get resistant to, which are not too expensive and which would help calm down the virus a little.

Searchforacure.org in its article ‘fixing the body – an immune based approach to HIV’ discussed Cytolin as a breakthrough in medical science. It lives up to all the criterion of an effective AIDS/HIV drug: affordable, non-resistant to the virus and without any side effects.

Currently, Cytolin is being developed by a west coast company called CytoDyn and is being studied by Eric Rosenberg, M.D. who is a scientist at the Massachusetts General Hospital, and we are hoping that within a year we can get effective insight on Cytolin and HIV cure.

Feel free to provide your views and ideas.

Reference link: http://www.searchforacure.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=50&Itemid=67

Christmas is on its way.  For some people, going to parties, meeting people (sometimes a little more casual) becomes a part of the holiday routine. Most families, loved ones and even long distance relationships get together during Christmas season.

However, statistics show that the alcohol intake reaches record levels in these days; especially amongst teenagers. We well know about the influence of alcohol and drugs on the decision making capability of a person. People when unable to make sound, healthy choices, usually get involved in activities that result in drastic consequences.

‘It is better to be safe than sorry’ as the saying goes. Precautionary measures, regardless of their value in monetary terms, have a very high impact in saving a life. In fact, they are the only option against spread of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases).

What are your views regarding limited usage of alcohol and safe sex practices during holiday season? Feel free to share your comments and ideas.

Take Care

SH

HIV/AIDS puts a very prominent effect on our lives — positive as well as negative. News of the disease is all around us. Pictures of children, orphaned by AIDS, fill the pages of our magazines. Hundreds of thousands of children across the world die because of AIDS.

According to the UNAIDS report of 2008,

• At the end of 2007, there were 2 million children (under the age of 15 years) living with HIV around the world.
• Of the 2 million people who died of AIDS during 2007, more than one in a seven were children. Every hour, around 31 children die as a result of AIDS.

Children must be protected from the harsh realities of life. They often feel like nothing can hurt them. To many, the impression of HIV is nothing more than a disease that doesn’t affect them. For that reason it’s necessary that all parents talk to their children about HIV. Initially it is required to find out what they have heard, what they know, what they think they know, and how they feel about it. Talking with kids about HIV can be difficult, uncomfortable, or confusing, yet it is essential. This discussion will provide a good foundation for future conversations about safer sex and HIV prevention.

How to start the conversation? Topics like these are not made for discussing at the dinner table.  The best way is to link the conversation with the any current scenario going on. For instance, if there is a television ad about HIV, start a conversation after, asking questions like “Have you heard of HIV?” and “What do you know about HIV?”. Icebreakers like these not only help initiate a conversation easily, but also give a clue as to how much or how little the child knows about HIV.

Begin with clearly defining the names of reproductive organs of the body. Most importantly, make sure your child knows you are always open to discuss any topic. Let them know that HIV is a serious illness that is caused by a virus. Many times, kids fear getting sick. Assure them HIV rarely affects children at small age and chances of getting HIV are extremely small. Include the role that drug needles play in HIV infection and the risks of casual sex.

Once the child graduates into teenage, their image and social understanding is preoccupied with themselves. Many are impulsive and feel they are invincible. In the quest for independence they take risks, sexual risks are also involved. Remind them that anyone can get infected with HIV and the disease does not discriminate according to race, sex, age, or social status. Make sure they understand that latex condoms are a must and are for more than preventing pregnancy. Emphasize the impact alcohol and drugs have on HIV risk — it’s difficult to make sound, healthy choices when under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Finally, comfort them by letting them know that you would be available anytime if they want to talk and no subject is off limits. Provide an atmosphere that allows frank discussions about sex without a punitive response from you.

Please give your thoughts about the different ways a parent could play the role of a buffer between children and HIV/AIDS.

Regards

SH

Every day in the United States, more than a 100 people die of AIDS. Although HIV/AIDS typically affects young and middle-aged adults, 10% of HIV infections occur in individuals 50 years and older. Alarmingly, this rate has been steadily rising since its discovery in 1981. In areas with concentrated senior populations, such as Florida’s Palm Beach County, infection rates in this age group are as high as 15%.

HIV/AIDS does not only destroy an immune system already weakened by aging itself, but in older individuals its progression is more rapid and persistent. Other chronic conditions add up to the complications; and it results in an overall addition to the amount of care these individuals require from the formal healthcare system. Furthermore, older HIV/AIDS patients may be less likely than younger patients to have informal care and social support given by friends and family. They may also experience more isolation, loneliness, and depression.

In the past, most of the HIV cases in elders were a result of blood transfusion during operations and transplantations. But since such transmissions are eliminated to some extent, medical workers do not have any other option left else than to believe that seniors are getting infected primarily during sex. Elders involve in sexual activities without the use of condoms, as they are no longer concerned about the fear of pregnancy.   The most troubling part is that doctors fail to consider AIDS as a possible illness among their senior patients; as a result, elders are often misdiagnosed.  Some AIDS symptoms such as dementia and weight loss can mimic the ravages of old age.

Coming to the conclusion, it has been observed that many elderly people are reluctant to discuss their intimate life with strangers; this arises from most elders to get diagnosed when there is no hope left and only about a month to live. According to you, what is the reason behind this? Is free HIV testing and handing out of condoms at senior complexes only an option or training should be given to a cadre of elderly people who could go out and educate their peers about the dangers involved in unsafe sex?

Take Care

SH