The “Geneva patient” was completely cured of HIV after a bone marrow transplant. The man is currently under the observation of researchers.
The world has a sixth person cured of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This was reported by France 24.
A 50-year-old man recovered after a bone marrow transplant. He was nicknamed the “Geneva patient”. Now he is the sixth person cured of HIV.
Earlier patients also received stem cells from mutated CCR5, the scientists said. This cell blocks HIV from entering the body’s cells.
In 2018, a current patient from Geneva received these stem cells to treat an aggressive form of leukemia, but without the mutation. This means that the virus has still entered the patient’s cells.
But after 20 months, when the man stopped taking antiretroviral drugs, doctors found no trace of the virus in his body.
While scientists do not exclude the possibility of a return of the virus. But they say that the patient is in a state of prolonged remission. The man was diagnosed with HIV in 1990.
If there are no signs of the virus in a year, the chances of it not being detected in the future are higher, doctors say.
There are several possible explanations for why the Geneva patient recovered. Thus, according to the scientists, the transfer eliminated all the infected cells without the need for the famous mutation. The immunosuppressive treatment required after transplantation also plays an important role.
Recall that earlier people with HIV infection were cured in Berlin, London, Dusseldorf, New York and the City of Hope. They were injected with stem cells with the CCR5 mutation.
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.