Researchers are still searching for a cure for HIV. But a trial on a woman is coming to fruition.
Among the most difficult viruses to cure, HIV is one of the most important. Responsible among other things for the AIDS virus, it is transmitted sexually or through blood from mother to child. But this infection is not characterized by specific symptoms. In addition, the virus has several stages of development : the primary infection, the chronic phase and finally AIDS.
Depending on the phase and individual organism, a patient may suffer from fever, skin infections, diarrhea, headaches or night sweats. Corn these symptoms are not specific to HIV. This means that detection and diagnosis may occur late and delay treatment.
Nowadays, there is no cure for this disease. However, researchers are experimenting with treatments that can ease the daily lives of patients. A study conducted by researchers at the University of California reveals encouraging results on a woman.
A cancer in remission and a “cure” is approaching
As part of this treatment, the researchers chose the “patient from New York” as a volunteer. This Métis woman was diagnosed with HIV in 2013. She also suffers from acute myeloid leukemia since 2017. It is a form of cancer that attacks the bone marrow and blood.
She once received blood from an umbilical cord to treat her leukaemia. However, this blood had a particularity: her donor was only partially compatible with the patient. Despite this, her cancer has now been in remission for 4 and a half years.
As for the treatment of HIV, it consisted of stem cell transplants. This is not the first time this type of treatment has been used. In the past, two other HIV patients have been treated in this way. However, these patients were men. In this, the study is a first because the patient could become the first woman “cured” of HIV.
The #Prepit’s not just for white and cisgender men ☝️
This preventive treatment against HIV is effective for women, who can get it from their doctor or gynecologist!
All information here ????https://t.co/URi0GDt3yf ????#LaPrepUnGesteSimple pic.twitter.com/1xQrprszqM
— Association AIDES (@assoAIDES) February 5, 2022
HIV, a still little-known virus that affects millions of people
Today, the patient from New York has not taken antiviral treatment for 14 months. HIV is currently no longer detectable in his body, which is a promising sign. Nevertheless, researchers remain cautious. Indeed, a patient is not considered cured only when HIV is undetected for 30 months.
Nevertheless, this treatment represents real hope for all patients suffering from the virus. To date, more than 38 million people are living with HIV and only 1 in 4 people are on treatment. The results of the study were presented at the 2022 edition of the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections.