Although the chemicals are far from being tested in humans, the discovery is important because it identifies an entirely new class of chemicals that can be studied for effectiveness against AIDS, said the scientists at the National Cancer Institute who conducted the research.
Dr. Michael R. Boyd, who headed the team, emphasized that tests of the chemicals in humans have not yet begun.
The active chemicals are combinations of sugars and fatty acids called glycolipids. Boyd said the chemicals stop the growth of the AIDS virus, although he said his team has yet to learn how the glycolipids do this.
Vol 8 Issue 2 Page 4
