Herpes cures, vaccines, and therapeutic medicines...How long will we have to wait?

[LosingHope]

I've been reading about herpes cures and vaccines lately, and wanted to ask the community about their thoughts on the matter.

They say that the Fred Hutch is working on a cure that is set to start human clinical trials by the end of 2023 (hopefully) 

https://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/center-news/2022/09/herpes-gene-therapy.html

Then, of course, everyone is talking about Pritelivir. That and monoclonal antibody treatments from companies such as Heidelberg Therapeutics and United BioPharma are estimated to hit the market by 2025.

https://herpescureadvocacy.com/2021/05/24/what-is-the-timeline-for-a-herpes-cure/

I know what we're all probably thinking: It will realistically be another 10 years before we get these cures and more than likely, it will be expensive as hell for us to actually receive any procedure or medication.  But who knows? It's said that there is no typical length of time it takes for a drug to be tested and approved. It might take 10 to 15 years or more to complete all 3 phases of clinical trials before the licensing stage. But this time span varies a lot. There are many factors that affect how long it takes for a drug to be licensed (https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/find-a-clinical-trial/how-clinical-trials-are-planned-and-organised/how-long-it-takes-for-a-new-drug-to-go-through-clinical-trials). I know I'm being overly optimistic out of desperation and wishful thinking, but maybe we might get lucky and may see something that can substantially help cure herpes by 2027, which is only 4 years away.

What do you guys think? Is it possible? Are there any other viable treatments that you know of that are closer to the completion stage? 

 

[mr_hopp]

There's certainly a balance to strike when it comes to thinking about a herpes cure. Sure, get excited that one might come. But don't put your life on hold until one does. When I first got herpes 15 years ago or so, a cure was 5-10 years away then, too. If I would have paused my life in anticipation of a cure, I wouldn't be married with a 5-year-old now. I would still be waiting ... Instead, live your life now as if there won't be a cure, but be pleasantly surprised if/when one comes! Then a herpes cure will be icing on top of the amazing life you've built. 

Here's an early video I made on this topic waaay back in the stone ages of 2010: https://youtu.be/YXuChRaVobM

[kdogstew]

I agree with Mr_Hopp about not putting your life on hold but I also think the cure has gone from "impossible" to a matter of time.  When Fred Hutch got imvolved its gonna happen. They continue to provide research that indicates all obsticles are being resolved. It just takes so long for things to get done.  When they fogured out how to transport restiction enzymes directly to the root ganglia and find the "hiding virus" that was ground breaking.   Also realizing mega nucleases are better than crisper for cutting Herpes.  I believe now they are working with guinea pigs which is good bc they have an immune system more similar to humans than mice. Keep the faith but realize its probably gonna be 10 more years before a cure is available for public.  Hoping sooner but at least now we have hope.