A London-based HIV patient, diagnosed in 2003, has achieved sustained remission following a stem cell transplant, according to BBC reports.
Researchers caution that while the male patient shows no detectable virus, definitive proof of a cure remains unproven. This case follows the 2012 treatment of the Berlin Patient, Timothy Brown, who received a bone marrow transplant from an HIV-resistant donor, leading to long-term remission 12 years ago.
Both patients underwent stem cell transplants to treat cancer rather than HIV. The London patient, diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2012, received chemotherapy alongside the procedure, while Brown's treatment combined radiotherapy with the transplant.
Experts from Cambridge University, UCL, Oxford University, and Imperial College London collaborated on the case. Prof. Ravindra Gupta, lead researcher at UCL, stated the treatment approach demonstrated virus elimination in both cases.
Despite the breakthrough, the method remains risky and unsuitable for widespread use due to severe side effects. Researchers emphasize the need for further study to ensure long-term virus suppression.
The development coincides with Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) efforts to create an HIV vaccine with 50% efficacy by 2020, aiming to protect 28 million people. Current trials involve direct antibody administration via intravenous infusion.
HIV remains a critical global health issue, with over one million infections reported in Kenya. Recent trends show increased testing and treatment access, contributing to reduced HIV-related mortality.
