Man is ‘cured’ of HIV

Virus-free after stem cell swap

A MAN has been “functionally cured” of the AIDS virus by a bone marrow stem cell transplant in only the second case of its kind.

The London-based patient, who was treated for blood cancer, had a transplant from a donor with a genetic mutation that made them Hiv-resistant.

And 18 months after stopping antihiv drugs, the virus has not returned.

Timothy Brown, the “Berlin patient” who had similar treatment in Germany in 2007, is still Hiv-free. The new case, led by University College London and Imperial College London, confirms the stem cell treatment is not a one-off.

Lead author Prof Ravindra Gupta said: “There is no virus there that we can

AIDS has killed 35 million people since first being detected in the 1980s.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is triggered by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), in most cases through measure.” He described his patient as “functionally cured”, but added: “It’s too early to say he’s cured.” Prof Gupta said: “We have having unprotected sex or sharing infected needles.

The virus damages the immune system, making victims vulnerable to infections, such as TB, and to some cancers.

In 1996, it was discovered that shown that the Berlin Patient was not an anomaly.” Scientists could now try to develop gene therapy to create Hivresistance so patients do not need antiviral drugs. Anton Pozniak, of the International AIDS Society, said: “The hope is that this will lead to a safe, costeffective and easy strategy.” Dr Michael Brady, of the Terrence Higgins Trust, added: “Today’s news is a welcome development.” antiretroviral therapy could suppress the virus if taken regularly, but only six in every 10 patients have access to the drugs.

Drug-resistant forms of the virus are increasing. Around 37 million people are now living with HIV globally, including more than 100,000 in the UK.

What was once a terminal disease is now considered a manageable condition, and a 20-year-old with it today can expect to live on average to 67.

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SUCCESS Professor Gupta