The STI Clinic News > Further Good News on HIV Functional Cure
# Sunday, 17 March 2013
Posted: Sunday, 17 March 2013 | Categories: HIV

A little while ago we wrote about a baby that had been functionally cured of HIV, but that these findings were not applicable to adult cases. Now a new study claims that their adult patients were functionally cured.

The study, which was published in Plos Pathogens, was an observational study that followed up 14 patients who had been infected with HIV in the 1990s or early 2000s. All of the participants had been treated with combination antiretroviral therapy (c-ART) within ten weeks of infection. They had ceased to use this treatment after 36 months on average, but not had the virus return. This is unusual, as the virus tends to return as soon as the treatment is ended.

In order to explore how and why they remained functionally cured, the researchers aimed to assess whether these patients had common similarities beyond their early intervention. In order to do so, they compared the types of infection the participants had presented with, variations in cell count and differences in how their T-cells responded to treatment. This was done by analysing blood samples, with the results being statistically analysed. The researchers also compared their findings to other published findings, as well as with hospital records of other patients that had started c-ART therapy early but were still having the treatment. The key findings indicated that their participants had a low T-cell activation and that they had a very low HIV reservoir levels. The latter was suggested to decline for several years after treatment cessation. In comparison to other patients that had received c-ART therapies, the researchers argued that their study group most likely represented 15% of those cases.

This study was well executed, and it was clear that it aimed to put their sample in context with other studies and other patient groups. The basis of the study reflected that the researchers were well aware of their limited sample, and that their findings were in their infancy. Nevertheless, by focusing on a functional cure for HIV, the authors made a realistic and valuable contribution to the field. Clearly, there is a need to follow up these patients and conduct extensive assessments that were beyond the scope of this study.

From our point of view, we are intrigued to see what discussions will form concerning the clinical implications of the findings. While the study forms an argument for early intervention, there are some concerns regarding the long-term toxicity it could lead to, the potential for viruses to develop resistance and for the cost of a lengthy treatment. On the other hand, there are recent studies that have illuminated that the c-ART treatments on the market are well tolerated and reduce the risk of resistance. Moreover, it is worth noting that early treatment reduces the risk of HIV-1 transmission and that it would be highly unethical to deny patients early treatments. Overall, diagnosing and treating early is absolutely key to successful outcomes and we advocate regular testing for high prevalence groups.

 

How Our Service Works

  • Order your
    STI test online
  • Discreet package
    arrives next day
  • Provide a sample and post in pre-paid envelope
  • Access results online
How it works - order a test, provide sample and get results online

Telephone

UK +44 (0)20 7125 0367

Email

customerservice@thesticlinic.com

Address

2 Wingate Business Exchange, 64-66 Wingate Square
London SW4 0AF

Registered Address

7 Tufton Street
London SW1P 3QB

The STI Clinic is owned and operated by Online Medical Services Limited. Any medical service required is contracted to be provided by Online Clinic (UK) Limited, which is licensed by the Care Quality Commission. Testing is undertaken at The Doctors Laboratory, which is registered with Clinical Pathology Accreditation.

  • The Doctors Laboratory
  • Clinical Pathology Accreditation logoClinical Pathology Accreditation no. 1954
  • Information Commissioner's OfficeData Protection Act registered
    ICO registration no. Z2782183
Visa and Visa Debit accepted Master accepted American Express accepted