Norway man achieves long-term HIV remission after stem cell transplant: Study

A 63-year-old man in Oslo has achieved long-term remission from HIV, with the virus remaining undetectable even after discontinuing treatment, as per the study published in the journal Nature Medicine.

A hematology doctor, Anders Eivind Myhre, from Oslo University Hospital, Norway, published the study titled ‘Long-term HIV-1 remission achieved through allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant from a CCR5Δ32/Δ32 sibling donor’. 

Along with a group of doctors, Myhre monitored the patient for several years after the patient underwent a stem cell transplant to treat myelodysplastic syndrome, a condition affecting blood cell production.

The transplant involved stem cells from his brother, who carried a rare genetic mutation known to block HIV from entering cells. The patient, who had been living with HIV since 2006, was on antiretroviral therapy before the procedure.

In 2020, he received the transplant, and doctors discontinued his HIV medication two years later under close supervision. More than three years after stopping treatment, no trace of the virus has been detected in his body.

Extensive testing of blood, bone marrow and gut tissue, key reservoirs where HIV typically persists, showed no signs of active virus. Researchers also found no immune response, indicating the presence of HIV.

The findings suggest that the donor cells fully replaced the patient’s original cells, including in the gut, which is considered one of the virus’s primary hiding places.

The case adds to a small number of similar instances globally, including the so-called “Berlin” and “London” patients, who were also considered cured following comparable procedures.

However, experts cautioned that such transplants are not a practical solution for most people living with HIV, as they are complex, carry significant risks and are generally reserved for patients with life-threatening blood disorders or cancers.

Researchers said the case provides valuable insights into how HIV persists in the body and highlights the role of genetic factors and the immune system in achieving long-term remission.