Health Highlights: Nov. 10, 2008

Nov. 11 -- Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay:

'Assassin' Immune Cells Target HIV

Scientists have created "assassin" immune cells that can lock on to HIV even after the virus has mutated in order to evade detection and destruction, one of its most effective defense mechanisms, BBC News reported.

The U.S. and U.K. researchers created "souped-up" immune system T-cells that have the ability to detect and attack more of the mutated forms of HIV. The scientists did this by adding extra versions of the T-cell receptor -- the part of the cell that scans and removes infected cells -- that are preset to recognize various HIV mutations.

Laboratory tests showed that these enhanced T-cells were able to destroy HIV cells. The research appears in the journal Nature Medicine. Tests on patients with advanced HIV may start next year, and the researchers hope the modified T-cells will be as effective in humans, BBC News reported.

"In the face of our engineered assassin cells, the virus will either die or be forced to change its disguises again, weakening itself along the way," said Prof. Andy Sewell of Cardiff University. "We'd prefer the first option but I suspect we'll see the latter. Even if we do only cripple the virus, this will still be a good outcome, as it is likely to become a much slower target and easier to pick off."

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Malaria Vaccine Tested in Large Study

About 16,000 children across Africa are expected to take part in a clinical trial of what researchers hope will be the first effective malaria vaccine. The study could begin as early as next month and should be well under way by January, the Associated Press reported.

It will be conducted in Burkina Faso, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. Over the past several years, the study's groundwork has been put in place by upgrading laboratory, computer and other equipment, training technicians, and taking steps to ensure proper monitoring.