Eighth HIV Cure Case Emerges: French Patient Marks New Milestone in HIV Research
In a groundbreaking development, an eighth individual has been declared cured of HIV following an allogeneic bone marrow transplant. The patient, a French man in his sixties treated at Sainte-Marguerite Hospital in Marseille, was diagnosed with HIV in 1999 and underwent the transplant in 2020 to treat acute myeloid leukemia, a common form of blood and bone marrow cancer in adults. This case, announced by the AP-HM (Public Hospitals of Marseille) on January 10, marks another significant step in the fight against HIV, though experts caution that the procedure’s risks and complexity prevent it from being a universal solution.
The Marseille patient joins a small but growing list of individuals cured of HIV through bone marrow transplants, following the Berlin patient in 2009, the London patient in 2019, and the Geneva patient in 2023. These cases, while rare, have opened new avenues for research into the virus. As Yazdan Yazdanpanah, director of the ANRS emerging infectious diseases, explains, “On the one hand, the transplant induces a whole immunological storm. We deeply renew the immune system and lower the defense so that the body does not reject the transplant, which helps empty the reservoir [where the virus hides].”
A key factor in these cures is the presence of a rare genetic mutation in the donor’s bone marrow. Six of the eight cured patients, including the Marseille case, received transplants from donors with a deletion in the CCR5 gene, which HIV typically uses to enter and destroy cells. Without this receptor,the virus cannot replicate,effectively halting its progression.
A Boost for Research,But Challenges Remain
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While the Marseille case is a scientific triumph,it underscores the limitations of current treatments. Bone marrow transplants are high-risk procedures, primarily used to treat cancers like leukemia or lymphoma, and are not feasible for the vast majority of people living with HIV.Though, the success of these cases has spurred researchers to explore new protocols. Yazdanpanah notes that “currently, two or three protocols are underway at the ANRS to see if it is indeed possible to put patients into remission.”
At the European level,efforts are also underway to systematically type the CCR5 gene in donors,ensuring that patients requiring transplants can benefit from this mutation. This approach could pave the way for more targeted treatments in the future.
Prevention Must Not Be Overlooked
despite the optimism surrounding these breakthroughs, advocates emphasize that prevention remains critical. Emmanuel Bodoignet, a member of the Aides office, warns that “these are eight cases of healing out of millions of deaths over the last forty years.” With 38 million people worldwide living with HIV, the focus must remain on accessible prevention tools like PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), widespread screening, and robust healthcare infrastructure.
Bodoignet highlights ongoing challenges, including the uneven availability of antiretroviral medications, difficulties in accessing screening, and a shortage of doctors in free details, screening, and diagnosis centers (Cegidd). “In reality, we still have difficulty making PrEP available everywhere, and the issue of screening remains complicated,” he says.
The Political Context: A Crucial Factor
The future of HIV treatment and prevention is also deeply intertwined with political decisions. The annual report from UNAIDS, published in November, revealed that new HIV infections fell to between 1 and 1.7 million in 2023—the lowest level in history. However, the progress made could be jeopardized by funding cuts and policy changes.
In France, discussions around the social security financing bill (PLFSS) for 2025 have raised concerns about the future of hospital services, access to PrEP, and state medical aid (AME) for immigrants.As Bodoignet notes, “What future for hospital services? Will we have more hands for PrEP and serology tests? will people from immigrant backgrounds still be able to benefit from AME? So many questions that a case of remission should not brush aside.”
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Patient Profile | French man, 60s, diagnosed with HIV in 1999, treated for acute myeloid leukemia.|
| Treatment | Allogeneic bone marrow transplant in 2020. |
| Key Mutation | donor had a deletion in the CCR5 gene, preventing HIV from entering cells. |
| Global Context | Eighth known case of HIV cure via bone marrow transplant. |
| Challenges | High-risk procedure, not universally applicable; prevention remains critical. |
| Political Impact | Funding and policy decisions crucial for future HIV treatment and prevention. |
The case of the Marseille patient is a beacon of hope, but it also serves as a reminder of the work still needed to combat HIV globally. While research continues to push boundaries, the importance of prevention, accessible healthcare, and political support cannot be overstated.For more on the latest advancements in HIV research, explore the stories of the Berlin patient, the London patient, and the Geneva patient.
Eighth HIV Cure case Emerges: French Patient Marks New Milestone in HIV Research
In a groundbreaking advancement, an eighth individual has been declared cured of HIV following an allogeneic bone marrow transplant. The patient, a French man in his sixties treated at Sainte-Marguerite Hospital in Marseille, was diagnosed with HIV in 1999 and underwent the transplant in 2020 to treat acute myeloid leukemia, a common form of blood and bone marrow cancer in adults. This case, announced by the AP-HM (Public Hospitals of Marseille) on January 10, marks another significant step in the fight against HIV, though experts caution that the procedure’s risks and complexity prevent it from being a universal solution.
The Marseille patient joins a small but growing list of individuals cured of HIV through bone marrow transplants, following the Berlin patient in 2009, the London patient in 2019, and the Geneva patient in 2023. These cases, while rare, have opened new avenues for research into the virus. As Yazdan Yazdanpanah, director of the ANRS emerging infectious diseases, explains, “On the one hand, the transplant induces a whole immunological storm. We deeply renew the immune system and lower the defence so that the body does not reject the transplant, which helps empty the reservoir [where the virus hides].”
A key factor in these cures is the presence of a rare genetic mutation in the donor’s bone marrow. Six of the eight cured patients, including the Marseille case, received transplants from donors with a deletion in the CCR5 gene, which HIV typically uses to enter and destroy cells. Without this receptor,the virus cannot replicate,effectively halting its progression.
A boost for Research,But Challenges Remain
While the Marseille case is a scientific triumph,it underscores the limitations of current treatments. Bone marrow transplants are high-risk procedures, primarily used to treat cancers like leukemia or lymphoma, and are not feasible for the vast majority of peopel living with HIV.Though, the success of these cases has spurred researchers to explore new protocols. Yazdanpanah notes that “currently, two or three protocols are underway at the ANRS to see if it is indeed possible to put patients into remission.”
At the European level,efforts are also underway to systematically type the CCR5 gene in donors,ensuring that patients requiring transplants can benefit from this mutation. This approach could pave the way for more targeted treatments in the future.
Prevention Must Not Be Overlooked
despite the optimism surrounding these breakthroughs, advocates emphasize that prevention remains critical. Emmanuel Bodoignet,a member of the Aides office,warns that “the cure must not make us forget the importance of medical prevention campaigns,which remain essential to stopping the epidemic.” For the 38.4 million people globally living with HIV, the focus must remain on accessible prevention tools like PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), widespread screening, and robust healthcare infrastructure.
Bodoignet highlights ongoing challenges, including the uneven availability of antiretroviral medications, difficulties in accessing screening, and a shortage of doctors in free details, screening, and diagnosis centers (Cegidd).“In reality, we still have difficulty making PrEP available everywhere,and the issue of screening remains complicated,” he says.
The Political Context: A Crucial Factor
The future of HIV treatment and prevention is also deeply intertwined with political decisions. The annual report from UNAIDS, published in November, revealed that new HIV infections fell to between 1 and 1.7 million in 2023—the lowest level in history. However, the progress made could be jeopardized by funding cuts and policy changes.
in France, discussions around the social security financing bill (PLFSS) for 2025 have raised concerns about the future of hospital services, access to PrEP, and state medical aid (AME) for immigrants.As bodoignet notes, “What future for hospital services? Will we have more hands for PrEP and serology tests? will people from immigrant backgrounds still be able to benefit from AME? So many questions that a case of remission should not brush aside.”
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Patient Profile | french man, 60s, diagnosed with HIV in 1999, treated for acute myeloid leukemia.|
| Treatment | Allogeneic bone marrow transplant in 2020. |
| Key Mutation | donor had a deletion in the CCR5 gene,preventing HIV from entering cells.|
| Global Context | Eighth known case of HIV cure via bone marrow transplant. |
| Challenges | High-risk procedure, not universally applicable; prevention remains critical.|
| Political Impact | Funding and policy decisions crucial for future HIV treatment and prevention. |
The case of the Marseille patient is a beacon of hope, but it also serves as a reminder of the work still needed to combat HIV globally. While research continues to push boundaries, the importance of prevention, accessible healthcare, and political support cannot be overstated.For more on the latest advancements in HIV research, explore the stories of the Berlin patient, the London patient, and the Geneva patient.
