Scientists have found a remedy against the virus that causes blood cancer

Tenofovir and dolutegravir drugs for HIV treatment effectively suppress the transmission of the little-known HTLV-1 virus, which can cause blood cancer. This was shown by a study published in the journal Cell.

The experiment used "humanized" mice whose immune system was borrowed from human cells. After a course of treatment with the two drugs, the virus practically ceased activity inside T-cells.

According to scientists, HTLV-1 can be considered a "relative" of HIV, as it affects the same immune system cells. The virus can remain in the body for many years, gradually causing severe consequences, including T-cell leukemia (a type of blood cancer) and chronic inflammation of the spinal cord.

It is noted that until now, there was neither a vaccine nor effective therapy that could slow down or stop the progression of HTLV-1.

During the work, researchers also tested a new approach: combining antiviral drugs with blockers of the MCL-1 protein, which is responsible for the survival of infected cells. This combination allowed for the selective destruction of infected cells without affecting healthy ones.

"This gives hope not only for the prevention of HTLV-1 but also for the possible cure of already infected patients," the study authors concluded.