Man Declared 'Free' of HIV After Revolutionary Treatment

Seventh Person Cured

A 60-year-old man has been declared "free" of HIV after undergoing revolutionary stem cell treatment, becoming the seventh person to be potentially cured of the disease. The man, who also had acute myeloid leukaemia, had a bone marrow transplant in 2015 and is now believed to be free of both illnesses.

Next Berlin Patient

Hailing from Germany, the patient, who wishes to remain anonymous, has been nicknamed "the next Berlin patient" following Timothy Ray Brown, the first person declared "cured" of HIV in 2008. Brown sadly passed away in 2020. The recent patient's remission was announced ahead of the 25th International AIDS Conference in Munich next week.

Promising Treatment

The procedure, which carries a 10% risk of death, involves replacing a person's immune system through a bone marrow transplant. After stopping antiretroviral drugs in late 2018, the man is now HIV and cancer-free nearly six years later. Researchers are cautiously optimistic about the case, with more than five years in remission potentially indicating a cure.

New Gene Mutation

Unlike previous cases where donors had a rare gene mutation blocking HIV, the new Berlin patient received stem cells from a donor with only one mutated gene copy. This opens up possibilities for a larger donor pool in the future and provides hope for a universal HIV cure.

Hope for the Future

While HIV remains a serious health concern affecting a large number of people worldwide, advancements in treatments and potential cures offer hope for the future. With ongoing research and innovative approaches, the medical community continues to strive towards eradicating HIV and improving the quality of life for those living with the virus.