A TREATMENT for HIV developed in Oxford is to be tested on volunteers, to see if it prevents the onset of Aids.

Scientists at Oxford University spin-out company Adaptimmune have succeeded in creating a 'bionic assasin' which enhances the body's natural power to recognise infected and cancerous cells.

Now they have announced the first trials on patients by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, using cells carrying an engineered protein called a T-cell receptor to treat HIV, potentially slowing – or even preventing – the onset of Aids.

Dr Bent Jakobsen, of Adaptimmune, said: "The immune system uses T-cell receptors to find and trigger the elimination of infected cells.

“HIV, however, poses an intractable challenge because it has a phenomenal ability to escape detection through mutation whilst the immune system is not able to adapt its T-cell receptors."

The Oxford scientists have worked with the University of Pennsylvania for the past year to find a drug that triggers a more potent immune response when transferred into a patient’s cells,.

He said: "Now, for the first time, we can test the power of super-potent immune cells against HIV in reality.”

Dr Pablo Tebas, principal investigator on the new trial, said: “We hope to target cells infected with the HIV virus and eliminate them. This first study will evaluate safety and the right dose of these cells needed to be effective.”

According to UNAIDS/WHO figures, over 2.7 million people were infected with HIV in 2007 with over 33 million people estimated to be living with HIV worldwide. No cure or effective vaccine yet exists.

Current treatment is based on combinations of different anti-retroviral drugs which, although successful in delaying the onset of Aids for several years, have serious side effects and must be taken daily for life. Drug resistance is also increasingly a problem. New, effective ways to control the disease therefore remain a priority.

If the trial confirms the safety and preliminary effectiveness of the engineered T-cell treatment for HIV, Adaptimmune plans a follow-on trial in a larger group of patients. Adaptimmune also plans to assess the safety of the drug on cancer patients next year.