A recent case has added to the growing evidence that it may be possible to cure HIV without exclusively relying on stem cells resistant to the virus. A 51-year-old man, who received a stem cell transplant in 2015 to treat leukemia, has been declared free of HIV for over seven years. This marks him as the seventh person to be considered cured of the virus following similar treatments.
Traditionally, successful cases involved stem cells from donors with a mutation in the CCR5 gene, which HIV uses to infect immune cells. However, this latest case involved stem cells with one normal and one mutated copy of the CCR5 gene, challenging previous assumptions that such resistance was essential for curing HIV. The findings suggest that the immune response generated by the donor cells may have played a crucial role in eliminating any remaining HIV-infected cells in the recipient.
The man underwent chemotherapy prior to the transplant, which reduced his existing immune cells, making room for the donor cells to establish a new immune system. Notably, he was initially on antiretroviral therapy (ART) to manage his HIV but chose to stop treatment three years post-transplant. Subsequent tests indicated no detectable HIV in his blood.
Experts believe this case, alongside that of the so-called "Geneva patient," who was also cured without CCR5-resistant cells, may indicate a broader potential for curing HIV through various stem cell transplants. However, the complexity of individual genetic factors means that not all patients may benefit from this approach. For most individuals with HIV, particularly those who are cancer-free, ART remains the safer and more practical treatment option. Ongoing research continues to explore genetic editing and vaccine development as potential avenues for addressing HIV.