Health: UK patient ‘free’ of HIV after stem cell treatment

A man in Britain, who was receiving treatment for cancer, has now been in remission from HIV for 18 months and is no longer taking HIV drugs.

The highly sensitive tests still show no trace of the man’s previous HIV infection. According to the researchers it is still too early to say if the patient is “cured” of HIV.

Experts say the approach is not practical for treating most people with HIV but may one day help find a cure.

This patient in London, whose name has not been disclosed, was diagnosed with HIV in 2003 and advanced Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2012.

As being reported he had chemotherapy to treat the Hodgkin’s cancer and, in addition, stem cells were implanted into the patient from a donor resistant to HIV, leading to both his cancer and HIV going into remission.

Researchers from University College London, Imperial College London, Cambridge and Oxford Universities are reported to be involved in the case including research and treatment.