One of the most dangerous viruses in the world is undoubtedly HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). The virus, which directly affects the immune system and kills the immune cells in the body, was considered a virus that was impossible to get rid of until recently. However, the latest developments suggest that the end of the road may be reached in the medium term for HIV. Because with the treatment methods applied, one more person managed to get rid of HIV.
Numerous treatments for HIV were already in use. However, studies carried out until recently were limited to reducing the effect of the virus and prolonging the life of patients. However, no matter what, the HIV virus could not be cleared from the body. A 53-year-old HIV patient in Germany has become the fifth person to show that this reality is changing. Scientists have announced that the person known as the “Düsseldorf Patient” has completely recovered from HIV. Four more people had managed to get rid of the virus before.
Stem cell transplantation, which is also used in cancer treatment, was applied to the patient.
In the statements made about the Düsseldorf Patient, it was stated that the 53-year-old individual was treated with stem cell transplantation. The treatment method, which was seen as a last resort for cancer and generally yielded positive results, did indeed help the patient to recover. Scientists state that stem cell transplantation is a risky procedure even for the healthiest people, but the Düsseldorf Patient has managed to withstand all these difficulties.
It is worth noting that. One person in 2009, one person in 2019, and two people in 2022 were HIV-free. Stem cell transplant treatment was applied to them, just as in the Düsseldorf Patient. Making a statement on the subject, Dr. Bjorn-Erik Ole Jensen stated that patients who managed to recover from HIV are of great importance for future strategies.
The transplanted stem cell does not belong to an ordinary person
Stem cell therapy, administered to all five HIV survivors, did not contain the DNA of an ordinary person. So much so that HIV could enter the cell using a protein called “CCR5”. Only about 1 percent of people have a particular mutation that destroys this protein. Scientists were able to transplant mutated stem cells from this 1 percent into HIV patients and cure them.
Although stem cell transplantation is a risky procedure, it gave scientists hope. Commenting on the case, Dr. Todd Ellerin stated that the studies taught how to fight against HIV and that a roadmap can be drawn for the next cases. However, the scientist also has a remarkable caveat. So much so that stem cell transplantation is not a method that can be applied to every HIV patient.
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