National Cancer Institute
When the first signs of the AIDS epidemic appeared, NCI scientists were at the forefront of the effort to identify HIV as the cause of AIDS, characterize how it hijacked cellular machinery, and, in turn, develop the first treatments for it. They were able to quickly apply their expertise in epidemiology, cancer, retroviruses, cell biology, the immune system, and drug development to this public health crisis.
A research team, led by Robert Gallo, M.D., then at NCI’s Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology, discovered the first two human retroviruses, HTLV -1 and -2, which laid the groundwork for the co-discovery of HIV. This team also led the development of the first diagnostic blood test for HIV infection. Soon thereafter, other NCI researchers, including Robert Yarchoan, M.D., of NCI’s HIV and AIDS Malignancy Branch, began to seek effective therapy for AIDS, and discovered or co-developed the first effective drugs — AZT (zidovudine), ddC (zalcitabine), and ddI (didanosine). In particular, this group identified the anti-HIV activity of these drugs and, with support from other NCI components, conducted initial clinical trials with these agents.
NCI’s Center for Cancer Research currently has one of the largest and most productive HIV/AIDS research programs in the world. Researchers in the Center for Cancer Research’s HIV and AIDS Malignancy Branch, the HIV DRP (Drug Resistance Program) Host Virus Interaction Branch, and Vaccine Branch are continuing to make advances in HIV/AIDS research. All of this work lays an important foundation for current research into the viral aspects of cancer development.
Among these advances are the identification of genetic mutations that appear to protect against HIV infection or slow its progression, new insights into HIV viral diversity that contributes to drug resistance, and the development of new treatments for AIDS-related cancers, including Kaposi’s sarcoma and lymphoma. NCI researchers also are at the forefront of efforts to develop both preventive and therapeutic HIV vaccines and new treatments derived from natural products.
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