Chinese scientists have defined a subset of a type of virus-specific cells that could pave the way for new ways to treat chronic diseases like HIV/AIDS and cancer, Xinhua News Agency reported on Saturday.

Nature magazine published online a research paper on Wednesday, claiming that virus-specific cells, CD8+T, are able to control viral replication in both animal models and HIV infections.

"CD8+T cells were found to deplete during chronic viral infections in past research but could curtail acute viral infections by secreting antiviral cytokine that could eliminate the viruses," Ye Lilin, co-author of the paper and professor at the Third Military Medical University, told Xinhua on Saturday.

However, research findings showed that a subset of CD8+T cells was largely able to curtail viral replication in animal models and HIV infections.

Researchers also found the subset that offers higher anti-viral potential than previously known, showing greater therapeutic potential, and they also identified an important regulator for the generation of this subset, Xinhua reported.

"Through certain means, to increase and stabilize the type of cells can strengthen their virus-purging ability, thus providing new possibilities for cures," Ye said.

Current therapies can only contain the viral replication, but cannot purge them completely in chronic diseases like HIV/AIDS. Chinese researchers will now use the findings to further conduct research into immunotherapy in cancer and HIV, Ye said. The research was led by the Third Military Medical University in Chongqing with a number of partner institutions.