Researchers have confirmed the second case of long-term remission in an HIV-positive individual, following a bone marrow transplant from a donor with a rare genetic mutation that blocks viral entry. The London Patient, who underwent the procedure in 2016, has shown no detectable virus for 19 months after discontinuing antiretroviral therapy in 2017.
The treatment mirrors the approach used in 2007 for the Berlin Patient, who remains the first documented case of HIV remission. Both patients received transplants to treat blood cancers, with stem cells from donors carrying the CCR5 delta 32 mutation. This genetic trait prevents HIV from attaching to immune cells, effectively shielding them from infection.
Lead researcher Ravindra Gupta emphasized that the London case demonstrates the Berlin Patient’s outcome was not an isolated anomaly. "By achieving remission in a second patient using a similar approach, we have shown that the Berlin Patient was not an anomaly," Gupta stated. However, experts caution that the procedure’s risks and complexity limit its applicability as a widespread treatment.
The London Patient, who requested anonymity, described the dual cure as "surreal" and expressed hope that the findings would advance HIV research. "I never thought there would be a cure during my lifetime," he said. His case, along with the Berlin Patient’s, has reignited discussions about gene-editing therapies to replicate the CCR5 mutation’s protective effects without lethal side effects.
While the procedure remains too dangerous for general use, scientists are exploring safer methods to modify immune cells. Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases noted the significance of the case but stressed the need for further research. "Now where do we go with it?" he asked, highlighting the challenge of translating these rare successes into accessible treatments.
The study, published in Nature, details how the London Patient’s transplanted cells fully replaced his vulnerable immune system. Researchers detected no active virus in his blood, though they acknowledge the possibility of residual infection. Similar to the Berlin Patient, his antibody levels have declined over time, suggesting a sustained immune response.
