A 63-year-old Norwegian man, referred to as the “Oslo Patient,” has reportedly been cured of HIV following a stem cell transplant from his older brother. This transplant was made possible due to the brother’s rare genetic mutation that inhibits the virus, a discovery that has been likened to winning the lottery.
This case was highlighted in a study published in the journal Nature Microbiology, as reported by France 24. The patient had been living with HIV since 2006 and was diagnosed with a life-threatening blood cancer, myelodysplastic syndrome, in 2017. After failing to find a suitable donor for both conditions, doctors opted for the patient’s brother.
On the day of the transplant in 2020, medical professionals were surprised to learn that the brother carried a mutation in the CCR5 gene, which prevents HIV from entering the body’s cells. This mutation is present in only about one percent of individuals in Northern Europe.
“We had no idea. It was amazing,” said Dr. Anders Eivind Myhre from Oslo University Hospital.
Two years post-transplant, the patient ceased taking antiretroviral medications, and researchers found no traces of the virus in blood, intestinal, or bone marrow samples.
“We are confident that he is cured,” Dr. Myhre stated.
The donor’s immune system has entirely replaced that of the patient. Marius Troseid, a co-author of the study from the University of Oslo, noted that this is the first instance of such complete immune system replacement observed in the bone marrow and intestines of a cured patient.
The “Oslo Patient” is now among approximately ten individuals worldwide who have achieved long-term remission from HIV following a transplant, and he is the first to have received the transplant from a relative.
The patient reports feeling well and having more energy than he knows what to do with. Troseid remarked that the nickname “Oslo Patient” is no longer quite fitting: “The Oslo Patient is probably no longer a patient.”
While this complex and potentially risky procedure is only suitable for individuals with both HIV and life-threatening blood cancer, it may not be applicable to the millions living with the virus globally. However, researchers believe that studying such rare cases could enhance understanding of HIV mechanisms and advance the search for treatments applicable to all patients.
A Norwegian man has been cured of HIV after a stem cell transplant from his brother, who has a rare genetic mutation blocking the virus. This case provides insights into potential treatments for HIV.
Source: France 24