HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) compromises the immune system and can lead to AIDS if untreated. A breakthrough treatment using umbilical cord blood stem cells with HIV-resistant mutations has resulted in a patient being cured of both leukemia and HIV. The “New York patient,” a mixed-race woman treated in 2017, remains HIV-negative and in remission. Unlike previous cases requiring compatible adult donors, this study expanded the possibility of transplants for diverse populations by using umbilical cord blood. Researchers noted that finding matching adult donors for minority patients is rare, suggesting cord blood as a viable alternative.
The study revealed that combining the cord blood with stem cells from a relative enhanced the transplant’s success rate. Following her transplant, the patient ceased antiviral medication after 37 months and has remained HIV-negative since. While this approach has shown promise, stem cell transplants remain invasive and are typically reserved for patients needing treatment for other reasons. Experts advocate for increased screening for the CCR5-delta32 mutation, which is critical for effectively curing HIV. Ongoing efforts are necessary to identify more donors with this mutation to expand treatment options for those affected by HIV.
