my community channel

A drug that Novartis AG is currently testing, in people with Multiple Sclerosis; also has the potential to treat certain viral infections, perhaps including the AIDS virus, U.S. researchers said.

Low doses of the drug FTY720, also called Fingolimod, given to mice once a day for three days eliminated an infection by a virus that can cause meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

The findings suggest the drug, which boosted anti-viral immune responses in the mice, may be useful against viruses that cause high-level, long-lasting infections in people such as hepatitis C and HIV, the researchers said.
Microbiologist and immunologist; John Altman of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, who led the study, said the researchers plan to assess the effects of the drug on other viruses including the monkey version of the AIDS virus.......................

For the full report please go to MSRC: MS Research News : Drugs : FTY720 (Fingolimod)