A 63-year-old man was treated at Oslo University Hospital for a bone marrow disease.
In this context, he received a stem cell transplant from his brother, according to Nature Asia.
The brother had a rare genetic mutation known as CCR5 delta 32. It makes it difficult for HIV to enter the body’s immune cells.
According to WP Tech, the mutation is found in about 1 percent of the population in Northern Europe.
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Extensive test results
He was diagnosed with HIV in 2006 and began treatment with medication in 2010, which effectively kept the virus under control.
After receiving the transplant from his brother, doctors thoroughly examined the patient’s blood and tissue.
They found no signs of active HIV in the analyzed cells or in intestinal tissue, where the virus can normally hide.
At the same time, the patient’s immune system responded normally to other viruses, but not to HIV. This suggests that the new immune system has not been in contact with the virus.
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The patient stopped his HIV medication two years after the procedure. Since then, doctors have not observed any signs that the virus has returned.
Limited applicability
However, the researchers emphasize that the treatment cannot be used widely.
A stem cell transplant is a risky procedure that is typically used only for serious diseases such as cancer.
With more than 30 million people living with HIV globally, there is a need for other solutions, the research indicates.
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This is considered a long-term remission of HIV in the patient, but not a confirmed cure.
Sources: WP Tech and Nature Asia.
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