Small Trial Shows Promising Long-Term HIV Control Without Daily Meds

A small but closely watched study from the University of California, San Francisco, has shown promising results in the long-term control of HIV without the need for daily antiretroviral medications. The study involved ten participants living with HIV who underwent a combination of experimental immunotherapies, including an HIV vaccine.

After completing the immunotherapy treatments, these individuals stopped taking their daily medications. Remarkably, six participants experienced a slower and weaker return of the virus after several months, while one individual managed to maintain viral control for over 18 months.

Dr. Steven Deeks, a professor of medicine at UCSF and a leader of the study, described the findings as unexpected and unparalleled. He emphasized the significance of this study, noting that it could drive new directions in HIV research.

Sharon Lewin, director of the Doherty Institute at the University of Melbourne, echoed this sentiment, stating that the field urgently needs such innovations. The World Health Organization reports that approximately 40 million people worldwide live with HIV, and current treatments require lifelong adherence to daily medication.

Tom Perrault, a 60-year-old participant who had been on HIV medication since 2005, shared his experience of stopping the daily pills in July 2021 after receiving the immunotherapy. He noted that the virus did not rebound in the following months, which gave him a sense of hope.

He stated, "I was surprised by the level of emotion. All of a sudden, I dared hope. What a gift this will be for the world if and when this would work." The study, which required around 60 clinic visits, included a mix of treatments: an experimental vaccine to activate HIV-fighting T cells, two broadly neutralizing antibodies targeting HIV, a drug to activate the immune system, and a final round of antibodies before halting HIV medication.

Dr. Rachel Rutishauser, co-leader of the study, highlighted that participants who displayed slower viral rebounds had a swift response from a specific group of T cells when the virus began to reemerge.

This suggests that enhancing T cell responses could be key to future treatments. These findings were published in the journal Nature, marking a significant step forward in the quest for long-term HIV management without continuous medication.

According to the report, further studies with control groups are necessary to validate these results and explore how to improve T cell responses in patients.